A Tottenham Hotspur supporter was fined and banned from attending matches after mocking the Hillsborough disaster at Anfield.
Kieron Darlow, 25, of Node Way Gardens in Welwyn, attended Anfield on April 30 of this year for the Liverpool FC v Tottenham Hotspur game, which Spurs lost 4-3 thanks to a late Diogo Jota winner for the Reds. Sefton Magistrates Court was told Darlow was in the Lower Anfield Road stand when he made gestures mocking the Hillsborough disaster, in which 97 Liverpool supporters were unlawfully killed. This caused alarm and distress to people attending the game, police said.
His actions were reported to officers at the game and Darlow was identified, arrested, and charged with intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress.
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On May 17 Darlow pleaded guilty at Sefton Magistrates Court. He returned to court today, Tuesday, June 13 and was issued with a three-year football banning order, a 12-month community order, £200 compensation penalty and other fines.
Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “This type of behaviour has no place in football. We will take action and identify those who commit hate crime in any form, and this includes unacceptable chanting which causes distress to others.
“Merseyside Police will work to identify and bring to justice anyone found responsible for committing a hate crime. I hope this sends a clear message and acts as a deterrent to others that we will be put you before the courts to be prosecuted.”
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