A DJ crashed his car into the front of Southampton Football Club's radio station because he didn't want to miss his early shift the following day, a court heard.

Robert Flood turned the airwaves blue at The Saint radio station by managing to get on air while security staff were trying to throw him off the premises.

When they eventually did Flood, who had been drinking, broke into his own car and drove it at the studio causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Flood, who regularly presented the drive time show for the station under his broadcast name Rob Stevens, had been DJ-ing at the Christmas staff party in December at the club's St Mary's stadium.

Southampton Magistrates' Court heard how Flood, 29, had gone into the studio where he said he had been given permission to bed down for the night after the party so he could present the 6am breakfast show the following morning.

His solicitor Kay Lickfold told the court how, as Flood wasn't driving, he had drunk more than he usually would have done including three pints of lager, a shot of vodka and almost a full bottle of wine.

However security guards followed him down to the studio and tried to throw him out as they didn't believe he had permission to be there, said Mrs Lickfold.

During the struggle Flood got on the air and used foul language as he tried to summon help. He was then overpowered and thrown out of the stadium with the entire exchange captured on air.

Prosecutor Kelly Wickens then described how Flood smashed his way into his own car, an Audi A3, which was parked outside and drove it about 50 yards at the studio doors, causing more than £3,000 of damage.

Flood, of Lambourne Drive, Locks Heath, was arrested and breathalysed by police and was found to be over the drink drive limit, registering 88mg in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Explaining why he drove at the studio, Mrs Lickfold said: "He admits he broke into his car using a bollard. All he was thinking about was getting into the radio station in order that he could do his work the next morning."

Flood pleaded guilty to criminal damage and drink driving for which he was ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work, was banned from driving for three years and told to pay £1,000 compensation to the club and £70 costs. The court heard how as a result of the outburst Flood, who began his career in radio after being talent spotted at a supermarket as an announcer, had since been dismissed from the club and had effectively become "unemployable" as a DJ in the area.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo no one was injured as a result of the incident, which caused minor damage to Flood's car.

In a statement Southampton Football Club said most of the guests at the Christmas party, which is not thought to have included any first team players, had already left when trouble flared.

The spokesman also apologised for the obscene language and any offence which may have been caused.