Drunk Manchester United fan attacked six cars and an ambulance after being barred from Sunderland game

The Stadium of Light, home of Sunderland AFC

Manchester United supporter Andrew Harold, 44, took out his frustration on six cars and a St John’s Ambulance vehicle parked outside the ground, Sunderland magistrates heard.

Harold, who had travelled up from Worcestershire to watch his team take on the Black Cats on February 13, used a key to scratch the vehicles, causing hundreds of pounds of damage.

Prosecutor Laura Johnson said: “The defendant was intending to watch the football match but he was refused entry due to intoxication. In the car park, he has proceeded to damage seven vehicle parked in bays outside the stadium.”

A police officer patrolling the ground approached him and was told by the defendant: “They will all need new cars now.”

CCTV footage showed Harold “going berserk” in the carpark, Mrs Johnson added. He was arrested and told police he had drank six pints after arriving in the city on the train that morning.

Harold, of Southgate Close, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to seven counts of criminal damage.

Neil Hodgson, defending, said Harold, a machine operator team leader and father-of-four, had been a Manchester United season ticket holder for 16 years and travels to all the games.

Mr Hodgson said: “He thinks he had between six to eight pints. It’s not normal for him to drink and he had more than he should have had.

“They are very strict in Sunderland. They monitor supporters going in and anyone that appears too drunk, they don’t allow in.

“They took the ticket off him. What was he going to do – wait for his friends to go home?

“There was an element of red mist. He’s travelled a long way and of course he’s frustrated. He is outside the ground and he does whatever he does in what looks like the space of a couple of minutes.

“He is ashamed of his behaviour and he wants to apologise to the court. His wife is appalled and so are the rest of the family.”

Harold was fined £750 and was told to pay £85 costs, £75 victim surcharge and £942 in compensation.