Source: Telegraph
Sol Campbell abusers found guilty by Portsmouth magistrates
A man and a boy were found guilty today of shouting "shocking and disgusting" homophobic chants at a football match.
Ian Trow, 42, of Kingshill Drive, Deanshanger, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, and the 14-year-old had pleaded not guilty at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court to the charge of indecent chanting.
The charges relate to chants made at Campbell during a match against Tottenham at Fratton Park on September 28 last year.
After a three-hour trial, Georgette Holbrook, chair of the panel, found the two defendants had chanted "Come on gay boy, that's my gay boy".
She said: "We find that the words used were in extremely bad taste, they were inappropriate, shocking and disgusting, and as such they were indecent."
Sophie Stevens, prosecuting, said: "The police and members of the public considered there was significant abuse from the travelling Tottenham supporters, abuse above what is perhaps wrongly accepted at a football match."
The magistrates were shown a DVD of footage recorded by police showing Tottenham fans at the match.
Angie Cunningham, defending, said the video footage was examined by a professional lip reader who said the youth, who was 13 at the time, could be seen pointing and shouting: "Come on gay boy, that's my gay boy".
She added that Trow could only be seen saying the words: "Come on, that's my gay".
But the magistrates ruled that Trow had said the same words as the boy.
Ms Cunningham said it could not be assumed that the two defendants joined in other chants heard at the match.
She added: "They passionately and whole-heartedly believed their behaviour and language didn't overstep the mark of what is acceptable behaviour and language at a football match."
The video footage also showed other chants which were shouted by up to 2,500 fans.
In a statement read to the court, Campbell: "I felt absolutely disgusted at this and I didn't react because of my profile and I feared I might make the situation worse and cause problems.
"I felt totally victimised and helpless by the abuse I received on this day.
"It has had an effect on me personally and I do not want it to continue. I support the police in their action."
Following the match, Hampshire Police released images of 16 people wanted in connection with the chants.
A total of 11 were arrested and four men pleaded guilty to the offence in January and were sentenced to a three-year football banning order and a fine.
Three men and two 15-year-old boys have been given police cautions, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Both Trow and the 14-year-old boy were banned from attending football matches for three years.
Trow was fined £500 and ordered to pay £400 costs and £15 to a victim surcharge fund.
The 14-year-old was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £400 costs.
Miss Cunningham said both defendants intended to appeal against the conviction.
