A FOOTBALL fan "at the forefront" of a racially motivated rampage through Burnley gave himself up after seeing his photograph in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard how Kieron McCallion contacted officers after his picture was published among those of other suspected troublemakers following England's opening World Cup clash against Sweden.

He was committed on unconditional bail to the town's Crown Court for sentence after admitting violent disorder, on June 2.

The court heard that McCallion, 31, of Dalton Street, Burnley, kicked and punched at taxis with Asian drivers during the melee.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, asked that the case be heard at the higher court because the offence was racially motivated and totally unprovoked.

He said licensing hours were extended on the day of the match and at about 4.48pm, the town centre CCTV system picked up about 40 white males leaving Burnley's Paradise Island pub, shouting and chanting football songs.

He said there were racial chants, hand clapping and members of the gang were raising their arms with clenched fists.

He said McCallion was near to the front of the group as they approached a taxi rank where Hackney Cabs, with Asian drivers at the wheel, were lined up.

The taxis were swamped by the youths who threw stones and bottles and punched and kicked the vehicles as the cabbies tried to escape, he said.

Mr Harrison said the defendant was at the forefront of the gang, was seen to hurl a bottle, had his fists clenched and was behaving in a highly aggressive manner.

The prosecutor said McCallion was arrested after his picture appeared in the newspaper and said he had been drunk at the time.

Graeme Tindall, defending, said McCallion, who was of good character, phoned the police after he saw his picture published.

He said he had watched the football, got extremely drunk and was seen on video to kick one taxi and punch another.

Russell Moorhouse, 34, of Ridge Avenue, Burnley, also appeared accused of violent disorder and did not enter a plea. His case will be heard at Crwon Court and he was bailed until August 5, for committal proceedings.

A third defendant, Andrew Emmett, 29, of Reed Street, Burnley. also charged with a similar offence, was bailed until June 26.