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Nigel Dewale, 60, who sent 'abhorrent' racist messages to England Lioness Jess Carter avoids jail

A 60-year-old man who sent "totally abhorrent" racist social media messages to England defender Jess Carter during last summer's Euros has been given a suspended sentence.

Nigel Dewale, from Great Harwood in Lancashire, was sentenced to six weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months and banned from going to football grounds for four years.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of malicious communications and possession of a weapon in a private place at Blackburn Magistrates Court in January.

The weapon was an extendable baton found during a search of his home, the CPS said.

Dewale sent two posts during the Euros last summer from his TikTok account under the username Bogeyman.

The prosecution came after the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) launched an investigation into abuse directed at Carter last July.

Officers traced some of the messages to Dewale's home and he was arrested at the end of August.

Dewale was "in drink" at home when he responded to a news article about police investigating online racial abuse earlier received by Carter following England's matches against France and Sweden at the championships.

He wrote: "Women's football is diabolical. Should not be on national TV."

Further messages contained racist insults before he repeated his criticism of the televising of women's football, calling it a "waste of airtime".

Cheshire Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the football policing lead for the National Police Chiefs' Council, said Dewale sent "totally abhorrent" comments, causing emotional distress for Carter and her family.

After sentencing, John Moran for the CPS said Dewale "chose racism over patriotism", saying the case should be "a stark reminder to so-called keyboard warriors. Online actions have consequences.

"This type of social media offending will not be tolerated. Those who peddle hate, on or off the pitch, will be brought to justice."

Carter, 28, who plays for US team Gotham FC, was part of the Lionesses squad that went on to successfully defend their title at the tournament in Switzerland.

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She stopped using social media following the racist abuse and has spoken out about the stereotypes facing black women in Britain.

During the suspension period, Dewale must complete 10 rehabilitation days and must abide by a three-month curfew requiring him to stay at home between 8pm and 6am.

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(c) Sky News 2026: Nigel Dewale, 60, who sent 'abhorrent' racist messages to England Lioness Jess Carter avoids jail

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