RUSHDEN & Diamonds FC boss Garry Hill has been ordered to pay fines and compensation totalling £2,575 after pleading guilty to assaulting Salisbury City player-coach Tommy Widdrington.

Hill (48), of Brock Hill, Wickford, appeared before Salisbury Magistrates today (Wednesday) charged with headbutting Widdrington following the two sides' 1-1 draw in September.

Speaking only to confirm his name and address, Hill sat throughout the 45 minute hearing with his head bowed. He was accompanied to court by Rushden & Diamonds chairman Keith Cousins.

Widdrington suffered a suspected broken nose in the assault, which took place after the final whistle and was witnessed by a large number of fans in the process of leaving the Raymond McEnhill Stadium.

However, the magistrates were told that there was no conclusive medical evidence as to the extent of the injury.

Prosecuting, Gemma White said: "As is common at football matches, there had been a number of exchanges going on throughout the course of the game."

Tempers flared when City substitute Marvin Brown netted a late equaliser two minutes into added time.

Miss White added: "Hill said to the victim, You f***ing scum, you lowlife ****. You're with the big boys now.' "After the game, Widdrington offered his hand for a handshake, when suddenly, Hill headbutted him, making contact with the bridge of his nose.

"He reeled back, clutching his face, which was covered in blood."

Defending Hill, Martin Taube told the court that Hill was "deeply and truly" sorry for his actions and had taken voluntary measures to apologise both in person and via his football club's website, as well as accepting an internal club fine.

Describing him as a devoted family man, he said that ever since the incident, Hill had lived with the fear that his actions may cost him his livelihood.

In a statement that was quickly refuted by the prosecution, he claimed: "Mr Widdrington abused Mr Hill's father, who died in May. The grief was still very raw and it caused him to react in a way he now regrets."

Hill was fined £1,500 plus £1,000 compensation to be paid to Widdrington, with court costs and victim surcharge totalling £75. He agreed to pay it off at the rate of £900 per month.

The incident has already been the subject of a Football Association disciplinary hearing at which Hill was fined £500 and given a touchline ban. The criminal charges were brought by Wiltshire Police as a result of their own investigations.