A PORTSMOUTH fan who headbutted a Saints fan amid chants of “you dirty scummer” has narrowly avoided jail.

Mason Preston, of Purbrook Way, Leigh Park, was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court today having pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

The 21-year-old had been with a group of around 40 other Pompey fans at Basingstoke railway station on February 5.

Cocaine-fuelled Preston, who had also been drinking, began talking with a group of three Southampton supporters, before turning violent.

But he will not serve an immediate prison sentence – despite causing “lasting injuries” to victim Sasha Brown.

A statement from Mr Brown was read in the courtroom: “It has affected my partner more than me and she now feels anxious to be around groups of young men.

“I’m grateful it wasn’t a more serious injury and grateful to the police for making me feel comfortable throughout the process.”

After the assault, Preston was seen taking off his “distinctive” green jacket and disappearing into the crowd.

An account of the events from Mr Brown was paraphrased in court.

“The victim remembers a large group calling him a scummer,” read prosecutor Edward Holingsworth.

“The next thing he was aware of was being surrounded by the group and feeling very threatened.

“The last thing he remembered was lots of people around him being very aggressive.”

Footage of the incident was played to the court, where the group could be heard chanting “you dirty scummer”.

Mr Brown took time off work, owing to a concussion and a “bloodied” wound on the back of his head.

Defending, Howard Barrington-Clark urged Recorder Simon Levene to implement a suspended sentence.

“For his immediate guilty plea, we must give him full credit,” he said.

Mr Barrington-Clark continued: “He lives with his father who, three years ago, suffered a serious break of his ankle. His son move in to help him.

“Of course there were aggravated features to this incident, but I would hope a stable home life, the fear of reoffending and a decent job will keep this young man from trouble.

“He has shown genuine remorse.”

Preston was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years, and must cough up £3,000 in compensation.

He has also been banned from attending football matches for five years and will be under a curfew between 8pm and 5.30am for six months. This does not apply on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Referring to a character reference on Preston, Recorder Levene said: “It says Mason’s height and size often brings conflict to him and he will not retaliate, that is simply the world we live in.

“Think how your victim feels.”

Recorder Levene added: “This was a disgraceful and completely unprovoked act of mob violence where you did all the damage.”