A footballer from Torbay has been told he could be sent to jail for punching a referee during a match in Ashburton.
Grant Hardwick, 25, formerly from Torquay but now of Totnes Road, Paignton, was about to be handed a red card when he hit referee Donald Distin in the face.
Mr Distin, a retained firefighter and former mayor of Ashburton, suffered a badly swollen jaw and severe bruising to his face.
The match, between Ashburton FC and Torre FC was immediately abandoned.
He appeared at Torquay Magistrates' Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to the referee on May 3.
His solicitor said he needed to address his 'anger management issues'.
Prosecutor Shaun Tipton described what happened. He said the incident started 35 minutes into the game when Hardwick was awarded a free kick for a foul by an opposing player.
Rather than get on the with the game he began criticising the referee and swearing.
"The referee called over the team captain and the defendant to explain the situation and the fact he was unhappy with the dissent," said the prosecutor.
But an angry Hardwick continued to complain and was given a yellow card for dissent.
He stood over the ball about two metres from the referee and stared at him while continuing the abuse.
The dissent got so bad that Mr Distin decided to send the player off.
"Before he could reach for the red card he found himself on the floor as a result of a punch to the right side of his face," said Mr Tipton.
"He couldn't defend himself or draw the red card."
Hugh Ogilvie, representing Hardwick, said the incident had come 'out of the blue' and was a single blow.
He said the defendant had expressed remorse for what he had done.
"He wants to address his anger management issues which clearly have prevailed in this case," he added.
Hardwick was granted bail on condition he did not play in any match regulated by the Devon Football Association.
He spoke from the dock to say that he had been told he had been banned for life anyway.
Hardwick also pleaded guilty to a second charge of assault. It happened to a referee during a match in Stoke Fleming two days before the Ashburton attack.
District Judge Davison said the actual bodily harm was serious enough to be sent to Exeter Crown Court for sentence.
He warned the player he could face jail.
"You've actively attacked him because of a refereeing decision.
"He was in a vulnerable position.
"I believe my powers in this court, which would be six months in prison, are insufficient and for that reason I am committing you to crown court for sentence."
He will be sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on July 24.
