Suspended prison sentence for man who racially abused goalkeeper

A man who racially abused a goalkeeper at a match between Warrington Town FC and South Shields FC has received a suspended prison sentence.

Dean Simpson, 24, of Marsh Lane, Edleston appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court on Thursday 11 September and was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim and given an electronic tag with a 12 month curfew on Fridays from 7pm to 6am and 12pm to 4am on Saturdays and Sundays.

He was also ordered to pay £720 in court costs and a £128 victim surcharge. Simpson was found guilty at an earlier hearing.

The court heard how on Tuesday 22 September 2020 Warrington Town hosted South Shields in a FA Cup qualifying round at Cantilever Stadium.

During the game South Shields goalkeeper Myles Boney reported to the referee that he had been racially abused by a male in the crowd.

The game ended 0-0 and went to penalties which South Shields won. However throughout the penalties the abuse continued.

At the end of the game, Simpson then made his way onto the pitch and kicked plastic beer cups at the South Shields players.

While entering the field of play, Simpson was captured on CCTV and later identified by officers.

Simpson was spoken to by police before receiving a postal requisition charge for racially aggravated abuse in July this year.

Police Constable Shayne Smith said: “Racism has no place in football.
“No-one should be subject to the abuse that Simpson directed towards the player involved.

“We take every report of hate extremely seriously and this result shows that we will do all we can to bring offenders to justice.

“I would urge anyone who believes that they have been subject to a hate crime to get in touch with Cheshire Police.”

Anyone who has been a victim, or witness of hate crime, is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or visit https://www.cheshire.police.uk/tv/true-vision-report-hate-crime/