A 23-year-old Weston man who had his face plastered over the national news for punching a horse hopes to teach children how a ‘foolish mistake’ can ‘potentially ruin your life and your reputation’.

Weston Mercury: Scott Spurling.Scott Spurling. (Image: Sub)

Scott Spurling, of Bristol Road Lower, appeared at North Somerset Courthouse on September 6 and pleaded guilty to punching a horse, a police officer and a man in Regent Street after the England vs Croatia World Cup semi-final match on July 11.

He was ordered to carry out 10 weeks of a community order and was placed on curfew for the same amount of time.

Scott has exclusively spoken to the Mercury to apologise for his actions and said how he hopes to ‘turn the negative experience into a positive’.

The former youth worker had a difficult upbringing but with the support of another youth worker, he was able to turn his life around and wants to teach other children to do the same.

Weston Mercury: Scott Spurling.Scott Spurling. (Image: Sub)

He said: “If I were to say I had taken away anything from this experience it would be how quickly a foolish mistake can completely discredit who you are as a person and what you have achieved.

“I have also learned how important it is to consider your surroundings and be more aware of the environment when being out and about. What went from an enjoyable evening with friends turned into an evening which has flipped my life around.

“I have learned a lot from this experience though and I feel I am a lot stronger, more confident and a more mature individual because of it. In terms of my day-to-day life, it has been quite a struggle due to the way my character has been reported.

“The majority of the public believe me to be a violent thug and a hooligan, yet if I am out in the street it is usually because I am with family or on the way to visit family since I am very family-orientated.”

Scott wants to prove to the public this event was a ‘blip’ he wishes had never happened and said he is willing to go the extra mile to make things right.

He also hopes to return to youth working to teach other children the difference one second of judgement can have.

He added: “I am not proud of what I did and I am ashamed and disappointed for my family and people I know and work with.

“I am willing to do whatever it takes to get back on track.”