A DRUNKEN yob who successfully overturned a court banning order after elbowing a steward in the face at a football stadium will not be allowed to attend matches.

Thomas Carter, 30, was involved in threatening scenes at the Amex Stadium during Brighton and Hove Albion’s game against Aston Villa in January 2020.

Carter, of Upland Gardens, Worthing, was given a football banning order for three years in February 2020, and was told to complete 40 hours of unpaid community service.

He appeared in court on May 13 and applied to Brighton magistrates court to terminate the order early after submitting a supporting letter from a police officer.

After reading the submission, District Judge Amanda Kelly terminated the order, made under section 14H of the Football Spectators Act 1989.

A jubilant Carter thanked the judge after the short hearing at Brighton magistrates court.

However, a spokesman for Brighton and Hove Albion said he still faces an indefinite ban from attending home or away matches.

The spokesman added: "The court may have overturned the banning order, which is disappointing given the serious nature of the offence. 

"We take assault of our staff very seriously and will maintain our zero tolerance approach to this type of behaviour.

"The individual remains subject to an indefinite ban, therefore he will not be allowed entry into home matches or have access to any away match tickets."

This follows another Albion fan who has been given a banning order for punching a steward after a last-minute goal against Crystal Palace.

Connor Gill celebrated Brighton and Hove Albion’s late equaliser against their rivals at the Amex stadium on January 14 this year.

He remained standing on his seat in the north stand and became abusive towards stewards who asked him to sit down.

Stewards asked to see the 22-year-old’s match ticket and he refused, before attempting to exit the stadium.

After he was stopped by a steward, Gill punched the steward twice in the face before running from the concourse.

He was detained by police officers who arrested him on suspicion of assault.

In custody, officers found Gill, a plumber, in possession of a bag of cocaine, and he was further arrested.

At Brighton magistrates court, Gill, of Waverley Crescent, Brighton, was sentenced to 40 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay a £96 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

He admitted assault and possession of a class A drug.

READ MORE: Banned Brighton and Hove Albion fan has court ban ended