A SAINTS fan who hurled a bottle at rival supporters during a Premier League game has been given a three year football ban.

Odin Joyce, 29, threw the bottle at Crystal Palace fans during their league match at St Mary’s in January.

He appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, where he was given a three year football banning order.

The court heard how the incident took place on the evening of Wednesday, January 30, during Saints' league clash with Crystal Palace, which ended 1-1 after James Ward-Prowse scored a 77th minute equaliser to cancel out Wilfred Zaha’s first-half strike.

Joyce was in the stands, near to the away supporters, when he hurled the empty bottle into the Crystal Palace fans.

Prosecutor Rachel Standish said: “The defendant was seen to throw an empty drinks bottle at the away crowd.

“Thankfully the bottle was empty and no-one was hurt.”

Ms Standish added: “He (Joyce) was detained by stewards, who handed over to the police.

“When he was being arrested he said he was ‘guilty as charged’ and he would be going to court.”

Ms Standish said in his police interview, Joyce said he was reacting after something was thrown at him by the travelling Palace fans.

She added: “He told police he was remorseful and it was his own fault.”

The court was told how Joyce had a previous conviction for violent disorder, but had not been before the courts since 2013.

Joyce, who was unrepresented in court, pleaded guilty to a charge of throwing a missile at a spectators area – an offence under the Football Offences Act.

He declined to comment when asked if he wished to address the magistrates and did not contest an application made by the Crown Prosecution Service to impose a football banning order.

Magistrates sentenced Joyce, of Barry Road, Southampton, to a £40 fine and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £30.

Magistrates also imposed a three year football banning order on Joyce, preventing him from attending regulated football matches in the UK and abroad.

A spokesman for Southampton Football Club said: “The club does not tolerate unacceptable behaviour and liaises closely with Hampshire Constabulary whenever necessary.”