A former footballer knocked a referee unconscious after a mass brawl in a Sunday league game, a court heard.

Brett Tupper claimed he was acting in self defence when he floored referee Mick Brookes in September 2017.

But magistrates rejected his version of events, finding the 29-year-old guilty of assault.

A trial at Medway Magistrates Court heard Tupper, of Fordcombe Close, Maidstone, had been booked playing for Hollingbourne FC after a late challenge 10 minutes into a match against Lenham Wanderers.

His brother Shane Tupper, who was also managing Hollingbourne at the time, substituted Tupper a minute later but the father-of-four returned when the match went to extra time.

The court heard tempers flared among both teams after a Hollingbourne player committed a foul against the opposition.

Mick Brookes, who has refereed for 33 years, told the court he saw Brett Tupper push a Lenham player to the floor.

He called Tupper over and the referee said the player punched him once to the side of his head before he could show a card, causing him to collapse.

However victim impact statements signed by Mr Brookes at the time of the incident claimed he was punched after showing Tupper the red card.

There was also confusion over whether Tupper headbutted or pushed the Lenham player.

Tupper told the court he was leaving the pitch having been sent off when he felt a blow to the neck.

Assuming it was from a rival fan or player, he claimed he swung his arm around, accidentally knocking out the ref.

Magistrate Graham Gash found Tupper guilty of assault, saying the bench did not feel it was in self defence.

Tupper was ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and pay £985 costs. He also received a 10-year football ban from the Kent FA last November.

Finding Tupper guilty of one count of assault, magistrate Graham Gash said: “Whilst there were inconsistencies in his statement, Mr Brookes was consistent and clear about how the assault took place.

“We don’t believe the assault took place as described by Mr Tupper, we do not feel it was in self defence.”