A football hooligan has been banned from going near Priestfield stadium around match days after he assaulted two stewards while drunk.

In a rare move, a specialist Kent police unit set up last July, pressed Medway Magistrates' Court to issue the Football Banning Order against Gary Rimmer - his second.

His first was issued in 2004 and lasted for three years after he was found drunk at another sporting event.

The latest banning order, which is also for three years, prevents him from going within 400 metres of Priestfield Stadium when there is a home match.

It comes after Gills fan Rimmer, 34, turned up drunk for a match at Priestfield Stadium, punched and pushed two stewards who were trying to eject him.

He had gone to the home match against Barnet on October 4, but was drunk after an all-day session.

As Stewards Ray Barry and Steven Goodearl tried to evict Rimmer, he swung a punch at Mr Barry.

His first attempt missed, but his second hit Mr Barry on the nose.

As Mr Goodearl came to help, he too was pushed by Rimmer and the police were called.

Rimmer was restrained and arrested and when searched was found to have a "hooligan calling card" in his pocket.

He admitted at an earlier hearing two counts of assault by beating and one charge of being drunk when entering a sports ground.

Rimmer, of Pheasant Road, Chatham, has several previous convictions including racially-aggravated threatening behaviour towards a police officer, theft, and has previously been banned from all football stadiums in the county, after causing trouble at another match.

As part of the ban, Rimmer must surrender his passport, if required (by police), during international matches when England are playing and must report to the police station with five days of the order being put on him.

He was given the football order for going into Priestfield Stadium while drunk and was also fined £50.

For the two assaults on the stewards, he was placed on an 18-month community order, and ordered to pay £40 compensation to one steward and £20 to another. The court also ordered he pay £85 court costs.