SIX Oxford United fans were yesterday cleared of taking part in the violence that broke out before the visit of Bristol Rovers to the Kassam Stadium.

The trouble began near the stadium's ticket office before the League Two match on February 9.

The disorder began at about 3pm, following earlier confrontations between fans out the Priory pub and in the car park of the stadium in Grenoble Road.

Following a trial at Oxford Magistrates' Court yesterday, one fan was convicted of a public order offence, while the other six were cleared of taking part in the disorder.

Five people were found not guilty of using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress. They were Gavin Butler, 26, of Abbey Road in Banbury, Michael Harris, 41, of Stubbs Avenue in Headington, Helen Masters, 34, of London Road in Headington, Jack Sullivan, 18, of Bridle Path in Woodcote, near Reading, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named because of legal reasons.

Shaun Morris, 28, of Blake's Field, Didcot, was cleared of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Craig McNulty, 47, of Croft Road in Marston, was convicted of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He was fined £600 and made subject to a three-year football banning order.