Newcastle 'horse-punch' football fan 'sickened' by his actions
A football fan who made national headlines when he was filmed attempting to punch a police horse has told ITV Tyne Tees that he is ashamed of his actions.
Barry Rogerson, 45, said he "lashed out" because he was trying to protect himself after becoming separated from his friends.
The incident occurred during clashes between Newcastle fans and police after the team suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of fierce local rivals Sunderland.
Rogerson was on his way from one bar to another after the game when he became "caught up in the middle of it," he said.
"I should have scarpered as well," he admitted.
He said he regretted trying to punch the police horse, insisting he was an animal lover who looks after dogs and fish and feeds a local fox.
Photographs and television footage showed Rogerson pull a scarf up over his face before lunging for the horse.
But he claims that was because he was cold and a filling had fallen out of his tooth.
Rogerson was one of 29 people arrested after Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby.
"I'm not proud," he concluded. "I really let my family down."