FORMER Reds mascot Alan Smith sparked outrage this week when he returned to the stands at Accrington Stanley's Interlink Express Stadium.

Smith, who used to be Stan the Monkey, was shown the red card by the club in August after he appeared in court over a string of sex offences.

He was given six months jail but walked free as he had served five-and-a-half months in custody awaiting trial.

Upon his release, Stanley chiefs fired off a letter asking him to stay away. He was also dropped as the club's mascot.

However, Smith, 51, of Accrington, went to a match at the Interlink Express Stadium on Monday. He was welcomed by some but criticised by others.

Smith volunteered to become the club's mascot in 2003 after getting hold of a Stan the Monkey costume. He has also helped the club raise funds.

But things went sour for the lifelong Stanley fan last year when a complaint was made about his conduct.

A subsequent court hearing heard how, while in a pub last February, Smith prodded a 14-year-old girl's bottom with a pool cue.

He later pulled up the top of her knickers and made a comment about their colour.

The incident left the girl feeling "dirty and horrible", prosecutor Mark Lamberty told the court.

After Smith's arrest his car was vandalised and his Carter Street home broken into, forcing him to move.

When he was freed from prison, Stanley officials wrote to Smith to "respectfully ask" him to stay away from home games.

After he was spotted at the ground on Monday, Stanley supporter Paul McGowan, of Lord Street, Oswaldtwistle, wrote to the Observer to say he was appalled.

He fumed: "I find it totally unbelievable that this man, who has dragged the club's good name through the mire, should be allowed back into the ground only months after being released from custody and being told that he was not welcome by the club."

Accrington Stanley's Chief Executive Rob Heys said: "We knew it was somewhat contentious so we asked Alan if he could miss matches until things died down.

"He warned us in advance that he would be coming on Monday and we did check everything would be okay with the people who might be concerned.

"It is a little disappointing that people have gone to the local press rather than bringing their concerns to me."

Smith said: "I would like to know why Mr McGowan did not talk to me about this issue at the game.

"As far as I am concerned, the matter was finished after the court case. I suffered a lot because of something that was blown out of all proportion and on top of that I cannot see my football team play.

"Before I went, I contacted the club and the chief steward, who were both happy for me to attend."