A HIGH-flying businessman has earned the tag of football hooligan after being handed a three year banning order after he was filmed hurling chairs at opposing fans.

Mark Jones, a self employed IT consultant who works across Europe, gave an address in exclusive Nunthorpe Gardens, Middlesbrough, where houses can fetch up to £500,000.

The 40-year-old father of three, who originally gave an address of an industrial unit in Birmingham, had been warned he could imprisonment if he failed to give the court his correct home address.

Jones, who was contesting the banning order, accepted he had thrown the two chairs at the match in the Czech Republic but maintained his actions were in self defence.

Teesside magistrates watched video footage which showed Jones involved in violent clashes between Boro and Banik fans in the Bazaly Stadium.

Detective Sergeant Ian Fawcett, of Cleveland Police football intelligence unit, told the hearing: "The incident Jones is involved in he actually throws two chairs at Banik Ostrava fans. As the Boro group grows in numbers the Banik group grows in numbers. At no time could I say the Boro group were acting in self defence."

He added: "Jones was not there from the start of the fighting. He joined the group of his own volition. During the fighting there were a number of seats being ripped out and thrown."

Mr Jones, who represented himself during the hearing at Teesside Magistrates Court, admitted throwing the chairs during the violent confrontation in September last year.

He said: "It was self-defence. I was drunk, and I know that is no excuse, I am old enough to know better. I am ashamed and embarrassed by it."

Chairman of the bench Mrs Pam Ross said: "We have seen the video and you accept you threw two chairs at rival supporters. The action was very reckless and you intended to cause harm."

Jones was banned from attending football matches for three years and also ordered to pay £3,725 in court costs payable in 56 days.

Speaking after the hearing Mr Jones said: "Cleveland Police detect 18.8 percent of crime in the area but for football banning orders they have a 97.3 percent detection rate - you can draw your own conclusions from that."