McAvennie spared jail over bar brawl

Former Scotland striker Frank McAvennie was given a four-month suspended jail sentence today after he admitted fighting outside a bar on the Isle of Man.

The ex-Celtic and West Ham player head-butted a man outside the Aperitivo wine bar in Loch Promenade, Douglas, on the evening of 4 July.

The High Bailiffs' Court in Douglas heard that McAvennie asked security guards to remove local man Ian Moffitt, 23, from the bar as he felt threatened by him.

Sergeant John Manley told the court the two men then clashed on the street "first with words, then pushing each other and throwing ineffectual punches" before McAvennie head-butted Mr Moffitt.

McAvennie was on the island to take part in a Manchester United versus Liverpool legends charity match at the Bowl sports stadium, but missed the game following his arrest.

McAvennie's advocate, Jerry Carter, said the footballer had not intended violence and was provoked.

He said: "The defendant called security staff to have Mr Moffitt removed, and has accepted that he over-reacted and used too much force but he clearly felt he was threatened at the time.

"These are not the actions of someone who was out looking for trouble, but someone who felt he was on the horns of a dilemma and was trying to deal with it."

High Bailiff Michael Moyle sentenced McAvennie to four months in prison, suspended for a period of two years, ordered him to pay court costs of £113.70 and said he was not to be permanently excluded from the island.

The court heard that Mr Moffitt and McAvennie were involved in an altercation earlier in the day and met again in the bar at around 11.30pm.

Glasgow-born McAvennie, 48, who now lives in Newcastle and works as a football agent, tried to employ his usual "coping strategy" when faced with difficult fans, but was unable to walk away.

Mr Carter told the court: "The defendant was a striker with Celtic and West Ham United, and he was the leading goalscorer in the Premiership at one stage, and that comes with certain problems.

"Over the years he has had to develop a coping strategy.

"He has no previous convictions for assault and I would ask Your Worship to accept that his strategy is simply not to get involved."

Passing sentence for affray, Mr Moyle, said: "I know people may say things that rile you or upset you due to your status as a footballer, and I'm afraid that's the price you have to pay for fame.

"It is somewhat ironic that you used to be a striker: Mr Moffitt might take the view that you still are.

"I'm sentencing you to four months with a suspension of two years.

"That means if you do not commit any more crime in the Isle of Man you will hear no more about it.

"I'm simply saying if you keep your nose clean there's no danger of you going to prison.

"I'm not ordering you to be expelled from the island because it's clear you have shown regret and remorse and you feel you have let your associates down and want to make recompense."

Speaking outside court, McAvennie said he hoped to return to the island to participate in future charity matches.

McAvennie pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of causing disorder in licensed premises on the same evening, but no evidence was produced in court relating to the incident.

Mr Moffitt was also charged in connection with the incident at an earlier hearing in the same court.

He pleaded guilty to affray on 23 December and was sentenced to a four- month prison term, suspended for two years and subject to a supervision order.