Ex-footballer sentenced for fight

McAvennie: "... on the horns of a dilemma"

Former footballer Frank McAvennie has been given a four-month suspended jail sentence for fighting outside a bar in the Isle of Man.

McAvennie, 48, of Newcastle, head-butted a man outside the Aperitivo wine bar in Douglas, in July last year.

The former Scotland, Celtic and West Ham United striker was on the island to take part in a Manchester United versus Liverpool legends match.

McAvennie admitted affray, at a hearing at The High Bailiffs' Court in Douglas.

The court heard McAvennie asked security guards to remove local man Ian Moffitt, 23, from the bar as he felt threatened by him.

Mr Moffitt and McAvennie were involved in an altercation earlier in the day and met again in the bar.

Sgt 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.

Jerry Carter, defending, said the former sports star, who is now a football agent, had not intended violence and was provoked.

He said: "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."

'Regret and remorse'

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.

Passing sentence, 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.

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

"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."