A hooligan has escaped a football ban on a legal technicality after he taunted groups of York supporters before and after Saturday's match against Mansfield.

Martin Butterworth, prosecuting, told magistrates that Lee Cain, 26, was with a group of about 20 away supporters who hurled abuse at about ten men wearing York colours in a confrontation in Bootham at 2.35pm.

He was among the loudest of his group, shouting: "Come on if you want it," to the home fans and gesturing to them as his companions hurled abuse.

At 5.38pm, police saw Cain repeating his actions before a group of York fans, again in Bootham, after he had attended the match.

York magistrates said he should be banned from all professional football matches. But they could not because his offence was not committed at the Minstermen's ground and the prosecution had not given five days' notice it would seek a football ban. Government changes to speed up justice meant that Cain appeared in court four days after the match.

Police are understood to be looking at ways of closing the legal loophole.

Hull City supporter Cain, an electrical engineer on £28,000 a year, of Brasil Street, East Hull, pleaded guilty to a public order offence and was fined £250 with £55 costs.

For Cain, Simon Nellar said he had not intended to go to the match. He had come to York to celebrate passing his exams, but had had a lot to drink. He had been in the same pub as Mansfield supporters and had been swept up with them towards the football ground. He had a season ticket for Hull City, for whom his mother works.

Lee Christopher Oakes, 22, of Sherwood Road, Rainworth, near Mansfield got a three-year football ban after admitting being drunk at York City's ground. He was also fined £50 with £55 costs.

Of three other Mansfield men facing a similar charge, two did not attend court, and one denied the allegation.

Updated: 11:14 Thursday, April 18, 2002