A drunk Saints fan tried to clamber over a divide separating rival fans during match a St Marys Stadium.

Mitchell Craig Turley had to be held back by a steward as he tried to get to away supporters during Saints’ Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur last month.

The 28-year-old was fined £500 at Southampton Magistrates’ Court after admitting being drunk and disorderly at the game, which Saints lost 4-1.

Turley, of Ellwood Close, who represented himself, told the court: “I am absolutely sorry for being drunk and disorderly.”

District Judge Anthony Callaway told the warehouse worker he would pay for his actions with a hefty fine but he would have inflicted a harsher punishment if he could have.

He said: “What are you sorry for? Being a thorough nuisance to those who have to manhandle guys like you around the football stadium? 

“We get fed up with guys like you. It is about time guys like you are held accountable for it and if you go to prison, so be it.”

Turley pleaded guilty to the offence that took place at a match, attended by 31,853 fans, on December 28.

As well as the fine, Turley, who earns about £1,100 a month, was ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a £50 victim surcharge. 

Prosecuting, Dan O’Neill said that during the game, Turley was seen by a steward goading the Tottenham fans by the divide and trying to get closer to them. 

He added the steward, who described him as drunk and disorderly, went over and tried to hold him back. 

A police officer saw the struggle and ended up arresting the defendant who would not behave.