A WOMAN who threw a bottle at Sunderland striker Darren Bent has been banned from every football stadium in the country.

Tottenham Hotspurs fan Emma Dinnes, 20, said she was sorry after she was handed the three-year order by magistrates.

After the hearing, Dinnes, from Wash Road, in Brentwood, Essex, said: "I'm gutted about it, really upset and sorry."

Dinnes pleaded guilty at Sunderland Magistrates' Court to throwing a missile onto the pitch during the clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, April 3.

Dinnes said she threw the bottle of Dr Pepper, but said she did not mean to hit the striker.

Magistrates' dismissed her claim and said they believed she intended to throw the bottle at Bent.

Prosecutor Paul Anderson told the court Bent was struck as he celebrated in front of rival fans after scoring Sunderland's opening goal against his former team.

Police and club officials saw the bottle come from the stadium's South Stand, bounce and hit the player's left-hand side.

Neither the striker nor the club made a formal complaint after the Black Cats' 3-1 win, but Dinnes was arrested as police made inquiries.

Defence solicitor Sandra Fife said Dinnes was already frustrated by problems with away fan seating, when she found someone sitting in her allocated seat.

She hurled the bottle after the striker scored.

Mrs Fife said: "She is going to give the football thing a miss for a while, as it is very expensive to follow."

Chairmen of the bench Christopher Hutchinson told Dinnes her actions could have sparked disorder at the Stadium of Light, adding: "Football nor any other sport does not need this kind of irresponsible behaviour."

Magistrates also fined her £175 and ordered she pay £85 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.