A BRISTOL City fan convicted for his part in attacking a Leeds United fan has been banned from attending football matches for three years.

Neil Grey, from Weston, was one of five men sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday for a violent attack at Ashton Gate last year.

Darren Priaulx was punched and kicked by City fans after celebrating a Leeds goal and chanting ‘easy, easy’ when the Yorkshire side took the lead during their 2-0 victory in their Championship fixture on February 12 last year.

The court was told Mr Priaulx wassitting in the Dolman Stand during the game – an area intended for Bristol City fans only.

Grey, aged 32, was one of five men who attacked Mr Priaulx and left him with his shirt torn and bruises as they hauled him out of his seat and down the steps to stewards.

During the trial the jury was shown CCTV footage of Mr Priaulx being tended to by stewards following the attack.

Grey denied one charge of violent disorder but was found guilty on April 20.

His 54-year-old father Stephen, of Crookes Lane in Kewstoke, was fined for a separate public order offence by Bristol Magistrates Court on August 26.

Grey, of St Michaels Avenue, regularly attended Bristol City games the court was told during his trial. His friend Phillip Smith said the pair had been to more than 100 games together and he had never seen him turn violent.

Judge Michael Longman sentenced Grey to 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered him to complete 270 hours of unpaid community work. He was also ordered to pay �800 costs in addition to his football banning order. The other four men involved in the attack were also banned from attending any football matches for up to four years.

Roger Thayer, force football officer for Avon and Somerset police, said: “Avon and Somerset Constabulary, in partnership with football clubs and other forces in the United Kingdom, will relentlessly pursue any football-related violence and disorder that occurs in and around stadiums when regulated matches are being played.

“The sentences handed out to the five defendants on Friday reflects our relentless investigation into this very violent incident.

“Football Banning Orders will always be sought where appropriate to reassure both regular football supporters and residents alike around football stadiums that violence and disorder will not be tolerated.”