Seven thugs have been spared prison sentences for a violent and unprovoked attack that left a man unconscious after a Barnet FC match in 2005.

On Friday, Harrow Crown Court watched CCTV footage of six of the hooligans punching, kicking and throwing bottles at their victim, a rival supporter.

After seeing the footage, Judge Barrington Black issued the six with £500 fines and three year banning orders preventing them from attending football matches. He said: "I think I remarked when you first appeared before me, you don't strike one as the kind of people who usually commit this kind of violence."

Dean Martin, 30, of Leeside, Barnet, Ronald Healy, 39, of Thirleby Road, Burnt Oak, Daniel Bunton, 30, of Northbrook Road, Barnet, Robert McKenzie, 24, of Hertford Road, Barnet, Dean Reddy, 25, of Victoria Close, Barnet, and John Hobley, 39, of Cannons Court, Puckeridge, had all pleaded guilty to causing affray at a previous hearing.

All except Martin - who was put on 12 months' probation - were ordered to undertake 180 hours of community service.

Matthew Alderman, 23, of Crescent Road, East Barnet, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of causing harassment and was fined £500.

On August 6, 2005, Bristol Rovers fan Steven Gait was walking from the Underhill ground, in Barnet Lane, after his team had drawn 1-1 with Barnet FC in the Coca Cola Cup.

He recalled being approached by a man who shouted: "Is that all you've got?" He was then hit several times in the face, the court heard.

The attack was so vicious that passers-by jumped over walls to run away. Mr Gait regained consciousness in hospital and was not seriously injured.

The sentencing was the culmination of a two-year operation by Barnet police to identify the defendants. Using footage from CCTV and helicopter cameras of themoments after the football match, they were able to compile an initial shortlist of 14 suspects.

Working as a police 'spotter', PC Andy Wigley travelled as far as Birmingham and Manchester with Barnet FC fans, eventually closing the net on the seven men.

Speaking after the sentencing, PC Wigley said: "They won't be committing that kind of violence again, and I have to view that as a success."