AN angry football fan was overwhelmed by a fit of “red mist” when she assaulted a steward in front of thousands of supporters leaving a Saints match.

Victoria Callen lashed out at the female staff member trying to separate huge crowds of rival fans flooding out of St Mary's Stadium.

But while the 30-year-old was convicted for assault, she has avoided a football banning order after magistrates gave her a second chance.

Callen, of Cobbett Road, Bitterne, Southampton, denied the charge, but admitted a separate charge of obstructing arrest.

The court heard that the trouble flared as Callen and her boyfriend, Anthony Webb, rowed with stewards while leaving the busy Southampton ground following Saints clash with QPR on September 27 last year.

Saints had won the game 2-1.

Southampton Magistrates Court were told how staff were preventing home fans from crossing barriers which were separating an exit reserved for the away supporters.

Steward Karen Meadows told the court how Callen swore and accused her of “sticking up” for the QPR fans before trying to push past.

Ms Meadows told the court: “I had my hand out to stop her and she pushed past me and pushed my arm out of the way.”

She said the blow inflicted by Callen's raised hand caused her to stumble backwards.

Colleague Paul Robinson claimed Callen barged between them and struck Ms Meadows in a “shrugging” movement which made contact with her chest.

He said the pair had explained they were in a hurry to leave the ground because Mr Webb was wearing an electronic tag and under curfew.

Callen was restrained and arrested, where she gave officers an incorrect date of birth, the court heard.

The assault left Mrs Meadows shaken, but her injuries were restricted to a slight pain in her thumb, the court heard.

In mitigation Callen said she was initially polite but accused Ms Meadows of antagonising her first by swearing and grabbing her hand.

Callen claimed she had simply “nudged” the steward to remove her clutches.

She also repeated claims made after her initial arrest that a “red mist” brought on by learning difficulties and mental health problems had fuelled her anger that day.

She said: “She upset me by grabbing my wrist and I was trying to get her off me.”

But panel chairman Andrew Wrenwick declared Callen was the main instigator and told her: “It is quite clear that you were fully aware of the controls on your movement and alternative routes out of the stadium.”

Sentencing her to an 18 month conditional discharge and concurrent six month discharge for obstructing arrest he said: “It's down to you to stay out of trouble.”

He deemed the offence insufficient to warrant a football banning order and she was ordered to pay £50 compensation and a £15 victim surcharge.