A cowardly Liverpool FC fan who pushed a street seller into a Barcelona fountain slinked out of court today hiding his face from photographers with a magazine.
Anthony Mullen, 57, attempted to obscure his face after leaving South Sefton Magistrates' Court in Bootle, where he was earlier slapped with a three year Football Banning Order.
He shouted abuse at press photographers as he pulled away from the court building in a white van.
The lout was filmed tipping the unsuspecting man into the water at Barcelona's Placa Reial ahead of the Champions League semi-final on April 30, before scuttling away as onlookers laughed.
But he caused an uproar again on May 12, when he was filmed pulling down the trousers and underwear of a match-day traffic steward when the Reds played Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield .
Mullen, of Livingston Drive North, Aigburth , cannot set foot within a mile of Anfield stadium from four hours before a home game until an hour after full-time.
He must also surrender his passport if the Reds are playing away abroad if Merseyside Police deem necessary, and is prohibited from attending a town or place within the UK on any day where Liverpool are due to play an away fixture.
Mullen was not charged with any criminal offence but the force applied for the order after the footage of the two shocking incidents spread online.
In court today Adam Christensen, representing the force, said: "The police rely on two incidents. The first being an incident that gained some publicity.
"It was a match between Liverpool and Barcelona. Mr Mullen was a male identified as tipping another man into a fountain.
"The other was the 12th of May where he was identified pulling down the trousers of a steward."
Mr Christensen said he had explained the terms of the order to Mullen, who represented himself in court and did not contest the order.
He said: "He wishes the court to know he feels terrible about his actions and did not intend any malice with what he did."
Deputy District Judge Johnson told Mullen breaching the order carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison or a fine.
Speaking after the case, Superintendent Paul White said: "These were shocking incidents during which two innocent men were targeted and humiliated by Mullen.
"The vast majority of Liverpool fans travelled to Barcelona and behaved appropriately and respectfully, however the behaviour shown by Mullen is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, whether it be at home or away games.
"We work closely with Liverpool FC and all our football teams and pride ourselves on being an inclusive city that is passionate about football, and would like to remind anyone thinking about engaging in this type of behaviour that we will pursue such incidents and bring offenders to justice.
"We do not want the mindless acts of a few to adversely affect the enjoyment of other fans and members of the public.
"I would like to thank the members of the public, including Liverpool fans, who helped us to identify Mullen and would also encourage any members of the community with information on such incidents to speak with officers or stewards at the ground, or to call 101.
"Anyone with information who does not wish to speak with us directly can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
