Paul Mitchell, 27, admitted thumping the Villa star from behind during Sunday's derby because he thought the midfielder was a 'n*b'
A DAD has been caged for 14 weeks after admitting storming a pitch to thump Aston Villa's Jack Grealish because he thought he was a "kn*b".
Jobless Paul Mitchell, 27, said it was just a "joke" when he whacked the star at Birmingham City - and revealed he's now had to move home over death threats.
The Birmingham supporter was today snapped staring straight at the camera from the back of a police van as he made his way to the city's magistrates court.
He today pleaded guilty to assault and invading the pitch ten minutes into the match on Sunday and could have faced up to six months in jail.
Mitchell, who has a toddler and baby on the way, was instead caged for 14 weeks and must pay £100 compensation to £40,000-a-week midfielder Grealish for the “pain, discomfort and shock caused”.
He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and £135 in costs and was banned from attending any football match in the UK for 10 years.
The dad, who could be out in just seven weeks, waved to his family as he was led to the cells this afternoon.
The sentence must act as a punishment and a deterrent to others in order to send a message to the public and fans and players like Mr Grealish who should be protected at all times
Magistrate Alison Fisher
Magistrate Alison Fisher said: "This was an unprovoked assault on a footballer doing his job in front of 23,000 spectators and thousands watching on TV, including families.
“We note that you have taken responsibility for your actions. However, this type of behaviour is totally unacceptable.
”The sentence must act as a punishment and a deterrent to others in order to send a message to the public and fans and players like Mr Grealish who should be protected at all times."
JPs heard how Mitchell has been forced to move with his family out of Birmingham following "death threats" over the incident.
His lawyer said: "This is a high profile case, captured on national television.
“My client’s young family have had to leave their home and move out of Birmingham in fear of serious harm or death.”
The court was told Grealish at first thought he had been punched by another player as the drama unfolded during Sunday's derby.
A statement by the footballer read out by the prosecutor said: "Jack Grealish was shocked and scared because if this person was brazen enough to get onto the pitch, what else could he do?
”He didn’t know person who assaulted him and didn’t antagonise Birmingham City supporters.
“It could have been worse had the person had a weapon.”
Mitchell, who has been a season ticket holder for over 20 years, hadn't been drinking at the game with his dad and hit Grealish "as a joke", the court heard.
Jonathan Purser, prosecuting, said: "Jack Grealish felt a push in the back and a hook to his lower jaw. He had just won a corner and had back to stand containing Birmingham City supporters.
“The TV footage had captured the defendant running onto the football pitch, Mr Grealish with back to him and had name on back of his shirt.
“Footage shows him taking a running swing, jumping on the back of Grealish and launching that punch.”
The court was told the attack on Grealish was "totally out of character" for Mitchell, who has been banned from attending Birmingham matches.
His solicitor said: "He cannot explain what came over him yesterday morning. His initial foolish intention was to just go onto the pitch and whip up the crowd."
He said Mitchell, who used to manage a pub, has a two-year-old daughter with his partner with another child on the way.
Last night, we revealed he had received death threats from outraged footie fans.
It is claimed the married dad-of-one saluted fellow Birmingham fans as he was led away.
Grealish was poleaxed in the 10th minute of yesterday’s Championship game, shown live at lunchtime on Sky Sports.
The midfielder, 23, later scored the only goal of the game and appeared to be shoved by a Birmingham steward in the celebrations.
Shocked ex-Villa ace and pundit Lee Hendrie said: “That is literally the worst thing I’ve seen on a football pitch.”
Security is set to be reviewed amid a day of shame for football, with Birmingham facing a points deduction and fan ban.
Pundit Gary Neville said any more incidents could see the return of fences at grounds.
Birmingham City later apologised to its local rivals and promised to review security at its St Andrew’s stadium.
They said in a statement today: "Birmingham City Football club welcomes the sentence handed down to Paul Mitchell by Birmingham Magistrates today.
"What he did was unacceptable and has no place in football. The Club can confirm that Mr Mitchell is banned from our home ground, the St. Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium, for life.
"And nor will he have access to purchase tickets for away games involving Birmingham City Football Club, or have tickets purchased on his behalf.
";The Club has also banned another supporter for life for a series of vile and malicious Tweets on social media, relating to Jack Grealish and his family.
"The individual in question remains the subject of an ongoing investigation by West Midlands Police. Birmingham City FC rejects all forms of anti-social behaviour.
"We will not tolerate the kind of incidents we have seen during and since Sunday’s derby fixture against Aston Villa Football Club."
THE best way to prevent morons invading football pitches and punching players is to make them a hate figure in the stands.
Some idiots at Birmingham City cheered and clapped Paul Mitchell as he was escorted away after his sickening assault on Villa’s Jack Grealish.
That’s exactly what he wanted.
But if a club is docked points, or ordered to play its next half-dozen home games behind closed doors, fans won’t be laughing any longer.
The next thug tempted to pull such a stunt would know they risk being vilified by every fan at the club.
