Bowyer fined by courts

West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer has been fined £600 for using threatening behaviour.

West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer has been fined £600 for using threatening behaviour during an on-the-field brawl with Kieron Dyer when playing for Newcastle in the 2004/05 season.

Bowyer has since moved to Upton Park but the charge has been hanging over him since June of last year following events that took place in April 2005, against Aston Villa at St James' Park.

Both Dyer and Bowyer were red carded for the unsavoury incident, with the latter charged and he will now have his case heard at Newcastle Magistrates Court.

Former Leeds man Bowyer was given a four-match ban by The Football Association, who then later issued a further three-game ban and a £30,000 fine.

Newcastle responded by fining the player six weeks' wages, believed to amount to in the region of £200,000 - with Dyer escaping punishment as it was Bowyer that threw the first punch.

Chief crown prosecutor for Northumbria, Nicola Reasbeck, has issued the following statement:

"The criminal law doesn't cease to operate once you cross the touchline of a sports field.

"Neither does being disciplined by an employer or a sport governing body make an athlete immune to the law.

"Most importantly the plea shows that Mr Bowyer accepts his behaviour on the pitch that day was a criminal offence."

In addition to being fined £600, Bowyer must also pay £1,000 in costs.