Tuesday, 16 July 2019

Tranmere Rovers Fan's Racist Wembley Rant

A drunken Tranmere Rovers fan missed his team’s dramatic Wembley play-off victory after shouting: “You f***ing p*** c***,” at an asian security officer.

Electrician Jordan Unsworth, 23, of Mavis Drive, Birkenhead, Wirral claims he was agitated by police sniffer dogs outside the stadium.

The dad-of-one pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrates Court to racially aggravated threatening behaviour and trying to enter a sporting event while drunk on May 25.

Tranmere Rovers beat Newport County 1-0 in the final seconds of injury time to secure promotion to League One.

The first-time offender was conditionally discharged for eighteen months and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Ms Neeta Minhas told the court on Friday: “At the football match police dogs indicated this defendant should be searched and he took umbrage and was extremely difficult with the officers.

“He appeared to be intoxicated and the officers had to restrain him and police began escorting him away from the ground.

“The defendant turned to one of the security officers and said: ‘You f***ing p*** c***,’ and these words were captured on the police bodywork footage.”

The audio of the footage was played in court and police officers could be heard repeatedly telling Unsworth to “calm down” and “chill out” before the racial slur.

He could also be heard shouting: “You think I give a f***?” and: “This is embarrassing this.”

The security officer did not hear Unsworth’s words at the time, but after hearing the police recording said: “I was upset by the comment made to me, but unfortunately I am used to it at the football.”

Police could be heard telling Unsworth his behaviour was “unacceptable”, considering there were so many families and children around.

The Crown Prosecution Service applied for a three-year football banning order, but this was rejected by the magistrates.

“It was a brief incident after he was approached by dogs. He has a fear of dogs and told them he was very scared,” said Ms Ruta Mikailaite, defending.

“It was a negative search, no drugs were found, but he was detained and his arm was put behind his back and he was in pain.

“His shirt was ripped as a result of being detained.

“His girlfriend and her family are the real supporters of the team and he went out of loyalty to them and to his village. They are a small team from a small village.

“He was on the coach and they were all drinking, which he could not handle. He missed the game after paying for a ticket and the coach.”

Unsworth was released from police custody at 3am.

“He had never been in custody before and was terrified of coming to court today,” added Ms Mikailaite.

“I have never met anyone so anxious, fearing they would go to prison.

“His father did not speak to him he was so ashamed and my client is also ashamed.”

After reading a letter from Unsworth magistrate Ms Sonal Dave told him: “These are serious offences. There were families and children there.”

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