Kingswinford footballer banned after punching opponent

An amateur footballer has been banned from playing matches for three years after fracturing the cheek of an opponent in the Black Country when he punched the player in the face during a game.

Kevin Burgess, aged 29, snapped during an ill-tempered indoor six-a-side game at Hall Lane, Kingswinford on August 16, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

A punch was thrown by another player which prompted Ian Horgan, who was playing for the opposition, to complain to the referee.

Prosecutor Mr Howard Searle said: "As a result of that, Burgess was abusive and punched him in the face. Mr Horgan was escorted to the bar to have an ice pack applied to the injury.

"Burgess and others who had taken part in the match arrived in the bar later and there was a scuffle involving people from both teams that resulted in Burgess injuring an ear and grabbing the shirt of Mr Horgan who it was later established had suffered a fractured cheekbone in the initial incident."

The victim alerted police after spotting his attacker at the hospital where both were taken for treatment, the court was told.

Burgess, of Coleman Hill Avenue, Halesowen, admitted assault and was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended under supervision for 18 months, told to do 100 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £2,500 compensation to Mr Horgan who suffered double vision and still complains of facial numbness.