A racist football hooligan has been jailed and banned after making monkey chants at a match.
Jamie Strouther was in the stands as Mansfield Town took on Carlisle United at home and began shouting racist abuse and making monkey noises and gestures as the teams were playing.
The stewards then approached him to intervene when he became aggressive and pushed one away.
Dedicated football officers arrested him shortly after the incident on Tuesday 7 December 2021.
Strouther, 31, of Bilborough Road, Mansfield, was sentenced to a total of six months and two weeks in prison when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 9 December 2021.
He was also ordered to pay £100 in compensation and handed an eight-year football banning order after pleading guilty to assault and racially aggravated public order offences.
Superintendent Claire Rukas, Nottinghamshire Police’s head of Operational Support, said: “Football is there for people to enjoy and we are committed to ensuring that it remains the ‘beautiful game’ that it is famously known as.
“Racism has no place in society or sport. Hate crime is very clearly on the agenda for football both nationally and locally and it is something that is actively being targeted, with robust action being taken where this is seen and reported.
“When Strouther was spotted making these gestures and remarks, the team at the game worked quickly to intercept this and stop him in his tracks.
“Incidents like these completely go against what sport is about and spoil the atmosphere, but most of all these comments and gestures are highly upsetting and degrading.
“I would also like to thank the supporters who came forward to report this after being appalled by Strouther’s behaviour.
“We are pleased to hear of this result at court and that Strouther will not be allowed or welcomed to matches for the years to come. We hope this serves as a warning to anyone else who may make these remarks that this is taken extremely seriously and could land them with hefty consequences.”
