by Keith Hunt

A Gillingham fan who joined in violence after a match with Milwall has avoided a jail sentence.

But Jamie Delderfield was banned from all matches in England and Wales and abroad for four years.

The 38-year-old, of Hawe Close, Canterbury, was caught on CCTV kicking another supporter, Daniel Jull, as he lay on the ground.

Maidstone Crown Court heard trouble started with the rival fans at Gillingham railway station in the late afternoon on September 12 last year.

Trevor Wright, prosecuting, said there was heckling and Delderfield approached the London fans.

A brawl broke out and Jull was punched and knocked to the ground.

Mr Wright said Delderfield kicked the victim as he lay unconscious.

Delderfield later claimed he was walking to the station to get a train home when he was verbally abused and his life was threatened.

He said a man ran towards him and he used whatever force was necessary to protect himself. He added he only "prodded" Jull with his feet.

Jull and another fan, Eddie Dufton, a Gillingham "risk supporter", were later given a conditional discharges after admitting public order offences.

Danny Moore, defending, said Delderfield was not considered to be a risk supporter by the police.

"He is not really a member of the football hooligan group starting a pre-planned punch-up," he said.

"It is a long way from the football violence that courts some times have to deal with."

Mr Moore said Delderfield had been hit by tragedy in 2006 when his three-week-old baby died. He had not since worked as a labourer.

Delderfield was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC told him: "This was football-related violence that has to be treated severely.

"You have many offences to your name, including numerous for violence and some public order.

"On the other hand, there is mitigation. It is a long time since any noticeable offending. I take into account the tragedy in your family which led to depression."

The judge said a key factor in Delderfield's favour was that Jull and Dufton had received conditional discharges.

"There is no doubt in my mind it would be unjust to sentence you to immediate custody in all the circumstances," he added.