Former Premier League and reality TV star Jamie O'Hara punched a 14-year-old boy in the face at a football match after falling for a fake handshake prank.

O'Hara, 31, lashed out at the teenager after a defeat with his current club, non-league side Billericay Town.

The boy said the prank "was only a bit of football banter" as he put out his hand as the teams left the pitch and then pulled it away as the midfielder reached to shake it.

Dad-of-three O'Hara then delivered "a single blow" before grabbing the boy, footage captured at the away game played to Guildford Magistrates Court showed.

However, O'Hara denied the boy's allegation that he punched him in the face after a 3-2 away loss to Leatherhead and claimed he lashed out because a fan spat at him.

The former Tottenham midfielder, who appeared in court today wearing skinny black jeans, a grey jacket and black polo neck sweater, admitted assault by beating on April 15.

He was ordered to pay the boy £50 in compensation, fined £400, and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £40.

Prosecutor Darren Matravers said the boy, who cannot be named because of his age, went to the match with his dad and was stood in the crowd near the players' tunnel at the final whistle.

Mr Matravers said: "As the players were leaving the pitch he saw the defendant, who plays for Billericay.

"The defendant was recognised as a well known football player because of his footballing career."

Summing up the boy's statement, the prosecutor added: "As the defendant was heading towards the tunnel I leaned over the railing that separates the crowd from the pitch towards him.

"I then offered my right hand out towards him to see if he would shake it.

"Surprisingly he offered his hand back in return to shake mine."

The boy said he then pulled his hand away from O'Hara "as a joke."

The prosecutor added: "He then reacted by grabbing hold of the middle of my shirt with his left hand and punched me in the face with his right hand.

"His fist was clenched and he made contact with my left cheekbone."

The boy, who was not in court, claimed "it was painful at the time" and he was "shocked" by O'Hara's reaction.

O'Hara was then dragged down the players tunnel by his teammates, the court heard.

The player was quizzed by police on May 22 and described the atmosphere at the game as "hostile throughout."

He claimed his reaction was because a fan spat at him as he was leaving the pitch.

Mr Matravers said: "He himself was receiving personal abuse throughout the game and had items thrown at him.

"He felt unsafe leaving the pitch and that's not something he has felt before."

Defending, Michael Neofytou said O'Hara admitted lashing out at the lad but denied punching him.

Video footage played to the court appeared to show the victim's right hand extended over the barrier towards O'Hara, before he pulled it away when the player tried to shake it.

It then showed O'Hara thrust his right hand towards the boy amid a shower of abuse from fans, who were heard chanting: "What a waste of money."

Mr Neofytou said: "He specifically denies any allegation of the punch to the face, which is supported by the video footage."

He added the incident was a "great tragedy" for O'Hara, who has no previous convictions.

Mr Neofytou said: "He's never been in this situation before, it will impact on him, his future work plans and his plans to move to America in the coming years."

The court heard O'Hara previously admitted separate charges put to him by the Football Association and received an eight-match ban.

Sentencing chair of the bench Michael Slee said: "We have assessed the difference between the prosecution case and the basis of plea.

"In our view this would not make a material difference to the sentence.

"As a footballer you are someone young people look up to and that makes it more aggravated.

"We take into account also the age of the victim, however there's nothing in what we have heard that says you deliberately targeted him because of his age."

He added: "It was a single blow which you now regret and have shown remorse for.

"It is clear you have already been penalised by your employer and the professional body."

He said the appropriate way to deal with the crime was by a fine and added: "In addition, because of the impact on the victim, we request you pay £50 in compensation."

O'Hara declined to comment as he left court.