A TEENAGE Blackburn Rovers fan has been banned from all football matches for three years after spitting at a police officer who was helping to deal with a situation outside Ewood Park.

Blackburn magistrates heard that following his arrest George McCumskay was found to be in possession of a snap bag containing the drug ketamine.

McCumskay, 19, of Hollies Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty and possession of a controlled drug. He was fined £207 and ordered to pay £50 compensation to the police officer, £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge. He was made subject to a Football Banning Order (FBO) for the minimum period of three years.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said the incident happed at the end of Rovers' final home game of their promotion season against Oxford. Police had separated two groups of rival fans outside the Nuttall Street end when McCumskay approached from behind and involved himself in the disorder.

"He appeared to be trying to encourage further disorder and resisted when an officer tried to move him back," said Mrs White. "Without warning he spat at the officer hitting him on the arm."

Mrs White said the incident appeared to be part of an ongoing pattern of behaviour by the defendant which appeared to be escalating.

"His name has come to the attention of the police on previous occasions when there has been disorder," said Mrs White. "He was in possession of drugs which is potentially a catalyst to the behaviour displayed on this occasion."

Ben Leech, defending, said his client, an apprentice mechanic, had no previous convictions.

"He has been a season ticket holder for as long as he can remember and he maintains that he and his friends have never come to the attention of the police before," said Mr Leech. "He says he was trying to get back to his friends but was being prevented by police officers.

"He knows the way he reacted was wrong and he bitterly regrets spitting at the officer," said Mr Leech.

He said a banning order would have a significant impact on his client who enjoyed the football and the social side of following the Rovers.

"He will lose all that as a result of a moment of madness," said Mr Leech.