THE thug who attacked Colchester United fans during the Essex derby at Roots Hall earlier this month has been banned from UK football matches for five years.

Mark Coshever, 39, of Eaton Place, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, pleaded guilty to affray and entering the pitch during the game between Southend United and Colchester United, on February 6.

He was sentenced to the banning order, given an eight-week suspended sentence and ordered to pay £265 in fines when appearing at Southend Magistrates Court this morning.

Coshever admitted leaving the stand and entering the playing area during the match.

He proceeded to walk across the pitch and aim a short burst of punches at the Colchester United fans before he was restrained by stewards.

He walked back to the Southend United fans but was not arrested.

A few days later, on February 9, he haanded himself in at Rayleigh police station and gave a statement to police, who subsequently arrested him.

He was also banned from visiting any city in which Southend United are playing a game and from Southend town centre four hours before and after kick-off of any home fixture.