FOOTBALL yob Jonathan Dixon, from Wootton Bassett, was one of seven fans who have been warned they could face a jail term after admitting public order offences before a match at Swindon's County Ground.

The six Swindon Town supporters and one Hereford United fan all pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour following the street brawl before the two sides met on December 8 last year.

Magistrates saw video footage of the fighting taken by police before they decided to adjourn the case for probation reports to be prepared and warned that custody was an option.

Frank Murphy, prosecuting, said that most of the Town fans involved in the fight had been drinking in The Savoy pub on Regent Street before heading to the Manchester Road area on the way to the game.

He said: "These fans had deliberately come from The Savoy, not by the shortest route to the ground but had deliberately gone to the vicinity of the Tap and Barrel knowing full well it is used by away fans."

Mr Murphy said that a group of Hereford supporters were shouting abuse at the Town fans while they replied to the effect of 'come on then', and near the corner with Broad Street a brawl involving up to 15 men took place."

The six Swindon fans arrested were Tony Beckett, 21, of Frobisher Drive, Walcot, Larry Bowes, 21, of Southampton Street, New Town, Jonathon Dixon, 23, of Aspen Close, Wootton Bassett, Karl Hart, 22, of Edale Moor, Liden, Dean McMackin, 22, of Brendon Walk, Park North and Darryl Pearce, 35, of Salisbury Street, New Town.

The Hereford fan is Justin Davies, 29, of West Street, Leominster.

All seven pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and Dixon also admitted possession of a small amount of cannabis.

Mike Pulsford, for Dixon and Hart, claimed the Swindon fans would not have come into contact with violence had they not been diverted on their route to the ground by police.

Andrew Hobson, for Bowes, said that his client had been in The Savoy but was not going to the game. Instead he was going to meet his father at the Tap and Barrel.

The case was adjourned to June 26 for reports and they were bailed.