SWINDON Town fan Kieran Parker, convicted of two football-related public order offences this year, has escaped a three-year banning order after a court was told he had moved away.

The 19-year-old, formerly of Moredon but now of North Street, Huddersfield, previously pleaded guilty to one count of common assault and another public order offence at separate Swindon matches this year.

The court was told that police suspected he was part of a high risk group of fans and applied for the order, which would have banned Parker for a minimum of three years from a designated area around the County Ground for four hours prior to kick off, during and immediately after the game, as well as regulated matches away from Swindon and all England national fixtures.

But after hearing he had no other convictions for football-related violence and had moved away, a judge rejected the application yesterday.

Nick Barr, prosecuting, said: “In June at a Skybet League One fixture being played in Gilling-ham with Swindon Town, the defendant had travelled to Gilling- ham with a group of males identified by officers as high-risk supporters.

“They started drinking at 8.30am, and continued to drink in a pub on the High Street before making their way to another pub by the football stadium.

“They then attended the Southern Belle pub, which is associated with Gillingham supporters. Police attended and asked the group to leave, fearing the Gillingham supporters would leave early.

“They then went to another pub three doors away.

“At around 5.10pm Swindon supporters exited the pub chanting songs. The defendant was walking behind the group and saw one supporter in the middle of the High Street being abusive towards Swindon supporters.

“Mr Parker was seen to push the man to the floor and run off trying to get into the Swindon crowd, but was arrested.

“The other offence took place here in Swindon in May ahead of a football match with Rotherham United.

“Special constables were following a group of people down Shrivenham Road. There were a number of people in that location and three were detained by officers.

“Some distance away were Rotherham supporters wearing fancy dress.

“Two males walked away from the officers on to the path directly next to the ground.

“Mr Parker got into a brief scuffle with one of the two away supporters and were shouting towards the group of supporters at the top of their voices, swearing at them and the officers.

“He had to be restrained upon arrest and taken to the floor in a controlled manner using an elbow lock. The arresting officer had to force him to walk to the van.”

Emma Thacker, defending, said: “He accepts there was alcohol involved and he and his friends were having a good time.

“Unfortunately, they stayed in the pubs too long.

“It is six of one and half a dozen of the other, with both groups of supporters chanting at each other.

“In Swindon there were some concerns by police that a coach of Rotherham supporters arrived which were unexpected. Police had to act quickly to ensure they did not mix.’’ She added: “Police believe Mr Parker is part of some high risk youth group, and he accepts he knows people that may be part of those groups.

“He has made very silly mistakes during football matches.”

Chairman Michael Sutton refused the application.