A FOOTBALL hooligan used the name of a notorious police killer to taunt police ahead of a Barrow AFC match, a court heard.

Daniel David Thompson, 24, also faces a football banning order after his behaviour at a railway station after a Barrow v Carlisle friendly match on Saturday July 23.

Prosecutor Mr Lee Dacre said: "The crux of the case is that a police officer was on duty as a football spotter at Barrow railway station before the Barrow AFC versus Carlisle game.

"The defendant is known to the police and is part of a group who try and cause trouble at football games. He was drunk and police warned him about his behaviour.

"He then began chanting at them 'Harry Roberts kills coppers. He stabs police officers in the back'.

"He was repeatedly warned about his behaviour but carried on and as it was 5.05pm there were young children and other members of the public on the station and he was arrested."

Harry Roberts was jailed for 45 years after being convicted of the killings of three unarmed police officers in 1966.

Thompson, who represented himself at the Abbey Road court, Barrow, admitted using threatening and abusive behaviour.

Thompson, of Ulverston Road, Lindal, said: "I'm obviously very sorry for what I said. But prior to that I had been talking to two Carlisle fans and we had shook hands. When I came out of the station they became abusive and I just went stupid. The Carlisle fans were saying stuff to me so I said stuff back.

"It was a stupid moment and I had had a lot to drink. Every time I get in trouble it's because I have been drunk. If I hadn't been drinking I would have been alright."

Thompson was released on conditional bail. He must not travel to Barrow by the rail network on any day when there is a Barrow football match fixture. He also must not enter Barrow AFC's grounds.

He will be sentenced on August 25 when magistrates will also determine if he should be subject to a football banning order.