MATTHEW SIMMONS, jailed for a week for contempt of court after attacking a lawyer, was released from jail yesterday after less than 24 hours.

Crystal Palace fan Simmons assaulted his prosecutor Jeffrey McCann on Thursday after being found guilty of using threatening words and behaviour prior to being attacked by Manchester United Eric Cantona during a match last year. He was told by magistrates on Thursday that he would be sent to jail for seven days.

But sentencing guidelines and the approaching bank holiday weekend meant unemployed South London glazier Simmons was free to go after just one day.

. Bruce Grobbelaar, John Fashanu and Hans Segers will stand trial on January 14th after pleading not guilty in Winchester yesterday to fixing English Premiership matches.