A football fan who ran onto the pitch during a Colchester United match and threw punches at club supporters has been banned from attending any game for five years.

Mark Coshever, 39, admitted affray and pitch invasion after he left the stands and entered the playing area during the club’s 3-0 defeat at Roots Hall to Essex League One rivals Southend United on February 6.

He ran towards where the Col U fans were seated.

Coshever, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, pleaded guilty during a hearing at Southend Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

He was given an eight-week suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £265 in fines.

The court also handed him a five-year banning order prohibiting him from attending any football match in the country.

Coshever was not arrested at the ground but handed himself in after a police investigation was launched.

Steve Kavanagh, chief executive of Southend United, said: “The club is delighted with this decision of the courts.

“A national ban is the best way to deal with these individuals, who have no place at Southend United or the game of football itself.

“The club will now be considering a longer club ban in addition to that handed down by the courts. Roots Hall has an excellent reputation as a family stadium, any act that is not consistent with that will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with in the strongest possible terms.”