Ciaran O'Loughlin held his head in his hands as the extent of his criminality was laid bare in court
Ciaran O’Loughlin hurled racist abuse towards players
Ciaran O’Loughlin hurled racist abuse towards players(Image: Merseyside Police)
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A football thug was told "reel it in, lad" after he made a series of racist comments towards players at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Ciaran O'Loughlin, 28, slumped over and held his head in his hands when the extent of his horrifying racial tirade was laid bare in court on Friday.
O'Loughlin had attended Everton's new waterfront stadium to watch the Toffees' play West Ham United when he shouted the derogatory abuse towards both sets of players, causing fans around him to feel intimidated and disgusted.
Judge Mary Dowrick, presiding at Sefton Magistrates' Court, told O'Loughlin: "I think from the way you reacted when what happened was described, you know how appalling this behaviour was. You were hanging your head, and quite rightly."
Angela Conlan, prosecuting, told the court the incident related to the match on September 29 last year. The court heard O'Loughlin repeatedly made a series of horrific racist remarks, predominantly towards West Ham players but also to Blues on the pitch.
The court heard O'Loughlin remarked: "Who are we playing here, n****** FC?" He launched into a series of vile racist taunts aimed at the West Ham players, which the ECHO has chosen not to repeat. O'Loughlin also shouted one of the West Ham players was a "fat German c***".
The court heard the vile supporter also made several similar comments about Everton's black players. Dominic Sibbring, one of a number of fans who provided statements to the court, said O'Loughlin's remarks were "clearly meant to be derogatory and racist".
He added the comments were "distressing to me and other supporters". The court heard the other two men sitting with O'Loughlin did not make racist comments but nor did they challenge him. The three men left before the end of the match, which ended a 1-1 draw.
James Williams, who also provided a statement to the court, said he heard O'Loughlin, speaking about Everton's striker Beto, shout: "He is s*** and he is black." Mr Williams said he felt "intimidated and uncomfortable", with O'Loughlin's comments a stark contrast to Everton's work with the Kick it Out campaign.
Everton fan Fred Sibling told the court that O'Loughlin's comments "clearly had no place in society, especially in a football match". He added O'Loughlin appeared to stop his racist rant when another fan said: "Come on. Reel it in, lad."
The court heard the matter was initially reported via Kick It Out before a crime report and investigation was carried out. Ms Conlan said that when interviewed about his actions, O'Loughlin, who had no previous convictions, said he "couldn't confirm or deny because he was very drunk".
The court heard O'Loughlin, of the Seamus O'Donnells pub on Exmouth Street in Birkenhead, had entered guilty pleas to the single charge of racially aggravated intentional harassment last month.
In mitigation, Ella Lacey, defending, told the court her client was "disgusted, ashamed and deeply appalled" by his actions. She said the "long-term football fan" had brought a "great deal of shame upon himself, his family and the wider community".
Ms Lacey said O'Loughlin, who had a full-time job, was a "positive member of society [who] had never been in trouble before". She said he was willing to work with the Probation Service to address his behaviour.
The defence lawyer said: "Since the incident he has only drunk alcohol on one occasion. He has scared himself and never wants to find himself in that situation again." She added her client had already been banned by Everton from attending matches.
Judge Dowrick sentenced O'Loughlin to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. O'Loughlin was also hit with a three-year football banning order, which means he isn't allowed to attend any football in the UK or be within three miles of a stadium in the hours before and after a match.
The judge told the defendant: "This was a sustained incident and a not insignificant number of people were disgusted." She added the case was made more serious by the fact he had been drinking." Addressing the suspended sentence, Judge Dowrick said: "That is now hanging over you. If you get in any more trouble that will kick in."
O'Loughlin, who wore a black jacket and grey tracksuit and sported blonde hair, was told he will also need to complete 15 rehabilitation days and pay prosecution costs and the statutory surcharge.
Speaking after O'Loughlin's sentencing, Merseyside Police match commander Superintendent Matthew Moscrop said: "O'Loughlin was seen and heard by other fans in the stadium to make racist and offensive marks towards West Ham and Everton players. The remarks were made audibly and repeatedly and clearly caused offence and distress to other fans sitting nearby.
"This type of behaviour has no place in football. Merseyside Police will continue to work alongside our local clubs and the Kick it Out campaign 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 put you before the courts to be prosecuted if you choose to behave in such a deplorable way."
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