Man who racially abused Jess Carter sentenced30 minutes agoShareSaveOllie SamuelsNorth West, at Blackburn Magistrates’ CourtShareSavePAJess Carter was part of England’s squad which retained their trophy at the Women’s Euros last year A man who sent racially abusive messages on social media to England footballer Jess Carter has been sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.Nigel Dewale, 60, sent the posts to Carter’s TikTok account during the Women’s Euro 2025 tournament in which England successfully defended their trophy.The messages included a derogatory reference to Carter’s race and suggested people with brown skin were “murderers” and “groomers”.Dewale, of Great Harwood in Lancashire, was also sentenced to 10 days’ community work, given a four-year football banning order, a three-month curfew, and fined £239 at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court.PAJess Carter made her international debut in November 2017 and has 52 England capsAt a previous hearing, Dewale admitted sending a malicious message via a public communications network between 19 and 23 June 2025.He also admitted the possession of an offensive weapon, namely an extendable baton, in a private place in February.Central defender Carter plays her club football in the United States for Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, having previously represented Chelsea and Birmingham City in the UK. The 28-year-old, from Warwick, previously reported she was stepping away from social media after she was subjected to racist abuse online during last year’s Women’s Euros.The court heard Carter received racist abuse via TikTok after England’s game against France, and then again after they played Sweden. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham released a statement condemning the “disgusting racism”.The court was told Carter then decided to stop looking at social media and hand control of her accounts over to her sister. The abuse left Carter feeling anxious and not wanting to leave her hotel, the court heard. Lancashire Police reported the UK Football Policing Unit traced the messages to Dewale, who was arrested in August.Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
