A 60-year-old man who sent “totally abhorrent” racist social media messages to England defender Jess Carter during last summer’s Euros has been given a suspended sentence.
Nigel Dewale, from Great Harwood in Lancashire, has also been banned from from going to football grounds for four years.
He pleaded guilty to one charge of malicious communications and possession of a weapon in a private place at Blackburn Magistrates Court in January.
The prosecution came after the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) launched an investigation into abuse directed at Carter last July.
Officers traced some of the messages to Dewale’s home and he was arrested at the end of August.
Cheshire Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the football policing lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said Dewale sent “totally abhorrent” comments, causing emotional distress for Carter and her family.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
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