A NORTH-EAST football hooligan who made obscene gestures and suggestions to a policewoman after violence flared during an away game has been barred from his home ground.

Bishop Auckland FC imposed an immediate ban on roofer Anthony Kerr, 40, of Fore Bondgate, in the town, following his conviction for disorderly behaviour by magistrates in Burton, Staffordshire.

Kerr, who had denied the charge, was fined £250 and ordered to pay £200 costs. There was no separate penalty for a charge of resisting arrest.

He was one of 250 people who travelled from the North-East for a third round FA Trophy tie between Bishop Auckland and Burton Albion on January 13. The home team won 2-0.

There were disturbances in the town before the match, which was disrupted by two pitch invasions. Police and both clubs agreed at the time that the culprits had not been genuine football supporters.

Video evidence was played at Kerr's trial and police witnesses said he had argued, been involved in a scuffle on the terraces and in the second pitch invasion. He had consistently refused to get onto a supporters' bus and had been warned for swearing before he made lewd suggestions to PC Heath-er Parker, who was filming the scene with a video camera.

Defending solicitor Robin Skinner said the video had shown Kerr was "the calmest man there".

Kerr told the court he was a diabetic and needed to get insulin from his car, which he had travelled in alone from Sheffield.

Club chairman Tony Duffy said: "Hopefully, the sentence will serve as a warning to others.