AN Ipswich football hooligan who pushed and swore at a steward has been banned from future games and told to pay a hefty fine.David Hewlett, of Winchester Way, was attending the Ipswich v Wolverhampton match at Portman Road when he struck Johnny Dedona.

AN Ipswich football hooligan who pushed and swore at a steward has been banned from future games and told to pay a hefty fine.

David Hewlett, of Winchester Way, was attending the Ipswich v Wolverhampton match at Portman Road when he struck Johnny Dedona.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Dedona had asked Hewlett to sit down in the North Stand but Hewlett refused, swore at the steward and “lunged” past him striking his arm.

Hewlett, 49, said he was on his way to the toilet after drinking two pints of beer. He pleaded guilty to committing common assault on October 27 last year.

The court heard that Hewlett had a previous criminal record for violence and using threatening behaviour.

Mark Holt, mitigating, said his client was in full time work and had been married for almost 25 years.

He added: “He is not a regular attender of football but there were cheap tickets that day. He has not been in trouble for about 15 years.”

District Judge David Cooper said: “This is dismal and depressing behaviour from someone who is nearly 50. The steward seemed to be perfectly polite to you and you swore at him. It must have been thoroughly humiliating to be treated like that in public.”

Hewlett was banned from regulated football matches for three years, he was ordered to pay a £500 fine, £200 compensation to Mr Dedona, £150 towards court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.