BOSSES at Accrington Stanley have told a sex offender that he is allowed back to matches - as long as he behaves himself.

But today Alan Smith, 51, who used to be club mascot Stan the Monkey, said he would not return to the club's ground for the next few months after sparking fury by watching the side take on Halifax earlier this week.

Mr Smith, of Carter Street, Accrington, was jailed for six months last August after he was convicted of indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

He walked free from court because he had already served six months on remand while awaiting trial. He was sacked from his role as club mascot after the court case, although the offence was not connected to the role.

The fan agreed to stay away from matches until the situation "died down", and apologised for any embarrassment the case caused to his beloved football club.

But Mr Smith caused outrage by appearing at Stanley's Interlink Express Stadium on Monday to watch the club's 1-1 draw with Halifax Town.

One fan called his attendance a "disgrace". He said: "I find it hard to believe that this man, who has dragged the club's name through the mud, should be allowed back into the ground so soon after being told by the club that he was not welcome."

Accrington Stanley chief executive Rob Heys said the club had agreed to allow Mr Smith back to matches.

He said: "It is a difficult one for us to judge as a club, but we knew that he wanted to come back to games after Christmas.

"He asked us in advance if he could come back, and we did check everything would be OK with the people who might be concerned.

"We assessed the situation and there was no risk to anybody, so we agreed to let him return."

Mr Smith had previously tried to watch the promotion-chasing team at their away defeat against Cambridge United in August, before being thrown out by stewards.

Mr Smith, who has worked as an entertainer for Butlins and Pontins, and had been working as a DJ before his arrest, said: "I have supported the club for 15 years, since I moved to the town, and I have the club's best interests at heart.

"I went to the match and kept myself to myself but, after all of the fuss, I won't be going back in the near future. All I want to do is go to games and watch the club get promoted."