THUG: Philip Holmes A SOCCER thug who grabbed a police dog by the throat is behind bars -- and has been banned from football matches for six years.

Clarets fan Philip Holmes' behaviour was slammed by a judge who said violence at football matches before and after the game had given this country a very bad name and it was the last thing the police wanted.

Judge Raymond Bennett told father-of-two Holmes, 39, who he said had an "appalling record," for public disorder in the past, there was far too much violence and the message must go out that those involved would be punished if caught.

He added the defendant said he had been bitten by the dog, hit by a police baton more than once and knocked over by a horse, but those things had only happened because he was in the thick of it.

Holmes of Griffin Close, Burnley, earlier admitted threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour last February 19. He was sent to prison for two months.

Michael Brady, prosecuting, said up to 200 men gathered, causing a large disturbance, outside the Clog and Spindle pub in Yorkshire Street , Burnley, after the Burnley v Wigan match.

Police drew batons because of the crowd's behaviour and Holmes was seen with his face contorted in anger and shouting at the top of his voice.

He was making threats, kicking out and punching and seemed to want to start violence with the officers. A large part of the crowd charged towards the police.

Holmes continued in an aggressive manner and was confronted by a dog handler who warned him to back off. He didn't, the animal was instructed to hold and bit Holmes' left arm. The defendant grabbed the dog by the throat and because the dog handler was concerned about the animal's safety, he gave the dog the command to leave. The animal was unable to do so because of the Holmes's grip and the officer hit Holmes twice on the arm with his baton. That had no effect but the defendant was then knocked to the ground by a police horse.

Mr Brady said Holmes still would not release his grip and was struck again with a baton. At that stage, others in the crowd attacked the police officer and he saw Holmes disappearing into the crowd.

When Holmes was later arrested and interviewed he said things were "proper rowdy," and he had just got caught up in it.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Holmes had now been excluded from football matches as part of his bail conditions. He had suffered from anxiety and depression and was still receiving medical treatment. A non-custodial sentence would be more in the public interest at this stage.