A Leicester City fan has been hit with a £369 fine after pleading guilty to using homophobic abuse during the Foxes' defeat to Aston Villa in December’s Premier League clash between the two sides.
Brendan Rodgers’ men travelled to Villa Park on 5 December, with two goals from defender Ezri Konsa handing the hosts all three points.
Harvey Barnes had put the visitors ahead before Konsa flicked in Emi Buendia’s header three minutes later to equalise, with the defender then heading in a corner in the second-half to win the game.
But after Konsa had scored one of his two goals, Steve Carstairs, 44, was heard shouting homophobic abuse by a West Midlands Police officer, who then arrested him.
Mirror Sport exclusively revealed in January that under certain circumstances, homophobic abuse would now be treated as a hate crime by the Crown Prosecution Service.
In line with that updated guidance, the CPS authorised West Midlands Police to charge Carstairs with a committing a Public Order offence which was homophobically aggravated in nature.
At a court hearing in Birmingham, Carstairs has pleaded guilty to using threatening abusive words and behaviour likely to cause harassment or distress.
Having pleaded guilty, Carstairs was hit with a £369 fine for committing the offense and shouting homophobic abuse.
The fine had been increased by 25 per cent from £200 for the fact he committed a hate crime, with £135 being from costs and £34 being a victim surcharge.
In a statement to Mirror Sport, the CPS made it clear that they would be working with Premier League clubs to build “strong cases” as they seek to stamp down on homophobic abuse.
“A supposed football fan has pleaded guilty to homophobic abuse at a Premier League match,” the statement read.
“The CPS is currently working with the police, clubs, player bodies and football authorities to explain how these crimes are prosecuted and what information is needed to pass the charging threshold and build strong cases.”
The lead prosecutor for CPS Sports, Douglas Mackay, insisted that homophobic abuse has no place in football and sent a warning to those who persist in shouting it.
“Chanting at football matches can add to a great atmosphere but if it is homophobic in nature the CPS will take that conduct extremely seriously,” Mackay, who is also the deputy chief crown prosecutor for the West Midlands, said.
“There is no place for hate in our football grounds. Sport is inclusive and we will work closely with the football authorities, clubs and charities to drive hate away from the game.
“The impact on people who are challenged for their personal characteristics can be profound. Some people do not care about that and persist with hateful mob behaviour.
“We will not hesitate to prosecute anyone accused of these actions where there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to do so.”
Carstairs’ behaviour was also slammed by Foxes Pride, the LGBT+ supporter group for Leicester.
“No one goes to the football to hear abuse or LGBT-phobic language that makes them feel unsafe,” Graeme Smith, chair of Foxes Pride, said.
“This case sends a clear message that LGBT-phobic abuse is a crime and should not be tolerated. Everyone should feel safe to report it when they hear it, and be confident they will be taken seriously.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Leicester City FC to ensure that football is a safe environment for all.”
