THREE football yobs who caused havoc on a train on their home from a match have been blasted by a district judge.

Darlington Football Club supporters Gary McIvor, Samuel Even Hickman and Nathan Robson appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to several offences relating to their behaviour following the club's away game to York City last August.

Lesley Burgess, prosecuting, told district judge Helen Cousins, how the Darlington men were just some of 300 rowdy football fans travelling on the TransPennine Express train back to Darlington following the game.

Ms Burgess said officers from the British Transport Police were also on the train in an attempt to keep order.

The officers had already warned a carriage full of younger supporters about their behaviour before monitoring a carriage containing older supporters which football intelligence had said would be "high risk".

Ms Burgess said despite being warned by an officer, the fans continued to sing abusive songs.

She said: "He describes the three defendants as singing and Robson was seen drinking from a bottle of alcohol on the train, which was not his.

"He's shouting and singing loudly 'F*** the cops, could not give a f***, could not give a f***'."

Ms Burgess said McIvor, 32, and Hickman, 27, were also singing about the Baileys alcohol Robson, 29, was drinking while McIvor banged on the train windows and Hickman covered CCTV cameras in chewing gum.

McIvor, of Eden Crescent, Skerne Park, pleaded guilty to one charge of unacceptable behaviour on the railway.

Hickman, of Sutcliffe Court, admitted interfering with equipment and Robson, of Ribble Drive, pleaded guilty to a charge of using threatening/abusive words/behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. A second charge of theft of a bottle of Baileys was withdrawn.

Judge Cousins said the trio had shown "poor behaviour".

She said: "That's a train my daughter catches; she's only young. There were two elderly couples and a young family on the train. Do you really think it's fair for them to listen to you like animals?"

The men were fined £80 each and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Brian Buddo, of the British Transport Police, said: “Any anti-social behaviour or harassment on the railway will not be tolerated.

"Trains and stations are not extensions of the football terraces or pubs, families, young children and older people often travel too on match days.

"The behaviour of some fans can be intimidating to other people and its not something that anyone should have to accept.

“We will actively prosecute football supporters who choose to act in this manner and cause members of the public harassment, alarm and distress, and will apply for football banning orders where applicable.”