Fan who abused footballer’s mother given three-year ban (From The Advertiser Series)

Fan who abused footballer’s mother given three-year ban

9:50am Friday 5th February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share

A FOOTBALL fan was banned from attending games for three years after he admitted racially abusing the mother of Sunderland striker Darren Bent.

Black Cats supporter John Davison, 26, of Chester-le- Street, shouted the n-word as Shirley Bent walked past him on the way to watch her son play at Wigan Athletic.

Mrs Bent turned round to see a group of men laughing and giving each other “high fives” in the stadium car park, Wigan Magistrates’ Court was told.

They returned to a bar where they had been drinking but she was so upset she decided to confront them and pointed the men out to security officials.

Police brought Davison to her where she told him she only wanted an apology. He said sorry and added that the Sunderland and England forward was one of his favourite players and he would get a tattoo of him on his arm.

Mrs Bent changed her mind on not taking further action against him when she told her son about the incident after his team’s 1-0 defeat on November 28 last year.

It is understood that shortly after the game Bent wrote on his Twitter page: “So we get beat by Wigan and, to make matters worse, my mum gets racially abused by a Sunderland fan. I won’t stand for that.”

Davison handed himself into police after he returned home following the match to learn of media reports of the incident.

He went on to send a bunch of flowers and a letter of apology to Mrs Bent.

Davison, of Avondale Terrace, appeared in court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to using threatening words or behaviour in a racially aggravated manner .

He was given a three-year ban order from attending football matches, fined £170 and ordered to pay Mrs Bent £50 compensation for any distress caused to her.

Katie McFarlane, prosecuting, said Mrs Bent arrived at the car park for away supporters at 2pm and was walking past the DW Stadium’s Gym and Sports Bar when the incident took place.

Miss McFarlane said: ‘‘Mrs Bent told her son about the incident after the match and then reported it to Sunderland’s press office.

“Since the incident she has remained upset.”

Colin Rawson, defending Davison, said the matter was “regrettable” for both Mrs Bent and his client.

He told magistrates: “I hope you appreciate he has done all he can since he said that single word to rectify the situation.”

Davison had been a loyal supporter of Sunderland for 20 years and loved the club.

Chair of the bench Krystyna Mountain said: ‘‘This was a serious offence and it is a shame the court has had to point it out to you today, and you have paid severely for it.’’ Davison was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £15 victim impact surcharge.

• Print
• Email
• Share