BORED soccer fan Adrian Carr landed himself in court - after nodding off watching his team's defeat by Arsenal.

The engineering machinist was arrested by police after Middlesbrough were hammered 4-0 by the North London side.

Mr Carr, 28, of Caithness Road, Middlesbrough, Teesside, had worked an early morning shift and then enjoyed a drink last Sunday afternoon before dozing off while his team were thrashed at Boro's Riverside Stadium.

When a steward managed to wake the him at the end of the game, he was arrested under 1985 legislation for being drunk in a sporting arena.

The season ticket holder got up at 4.45am to go to work and later met friends in a pub for pre-match drinks, where he had six pints.

By half-time Mr Carr - whose team were 3-0 down - couldn't keep his eyes open.

"I was tired and the match was an absolute disgrace," said Mr Carr. "I just fell asleep. At the end of the game the stewards tried to wake me, then the police tried to wake me.

"The officers got St John Ambulance staff to check me. They said I was fine, but I was arrested for being drunk in a sporting arena.

"I was taken to Middlesbrough police station and charged and put in a cell and slept there for about five hours. I didn't act aggressively at all."

Mr Carr's season ticket was taken off him and returned to the club, which will decide if he gets it back.

A spokesman for the club said: "We can confirm that an individual was arrested on Sunday for being drunk inside a sporting arena.

"The club will make no decision on that person's future until any court case is concluded."

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said Mr Carr would appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court today.