Jail threat will deter hooligans

Clarets fan Lewis threatened Rovers star Robbie Savage and assaulted two police officers during Sunday's drawn FA Cup derby against Burnley.

The 42-year-old, from Netherfield Road, Nelson, was also banned from every ground in the country for ten years yesterday after Burnley magistrates heard he was already serving a three-year banning order.

Lewis, who admitted breaching the ban, assaulting the officers, using threatening behaviour and encroaching on to the pitch, had already been in prison after breaking the order once before.

Burnley chief executive Dave Edmundson today welcomed the punishment.

He said: "I would say a stint in prison would be one of the best deterrents for potential repeats of what happened on Sunday. No one would like to see it repeated."

He added that a full review of the stewarding of the game had taken place with "lessons learned" and measures put in place by the club to stop it happening again.

Supt Neil Smith said: "I think it's an appropriate sentence and together with the ten-year ban will send out a clear message to other potential offenders."

David Hartley, prosecuting, said Lewis was seen to run on to the pitch and approach Robbie Savage "in an aggressive manner with arms raised." He "effectively assaulted" the police officers as they tried to arrest him, the court was told.

Mr Hartley said the offence could have encouraged other people watching to commit acts of violence themselves and had a big impact on the football club as they tried to host the match without incident.

Lewis, who is unemployed, was given a football banning order in December 2002 by Wolverhampton magistrates after being drunk at Burnley's game at Wolves.

He was sentenced to 28 days in prison by Greenwich Magistrates on March 1 last year for breaching the order by attending Burnley's game against Millwall. There are 24 offences on his criminal record including invading other football pitches and assault.

Dylan Bradshaw, defending, said Lewis went on the pitch in "mischief" knowing full well he was not allowed to and was ready to serve a custodial sentence.

He could not explain his actions other than to say it was a "moment of madness" fuelled by drink and the excitement of the occasion.

He said there was no violence towards any of the players and Lewis did not "swing punches" at the officers but used the flat of his hand to push them away and evade arrest.

Mr Bradshaw criticised the stewarding for enabling fans to get on the pitch, saying the club "needs to look very carefully when it renews the contract" of the stewarding company.