Racist who posted vile tweet after Euros penalty final weeps in dock as he avoids jail

Andrew Bone took to Twitter to usage a racist slur aft England mislaid the Euros 2021 last implicit a shoot-out, successful which Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho missed penalties against Italy

An ex-estate cause cried successful the dock arsenic helium was jailed for a vile tweet targeting Black England players successful the Euro 2021 final.

Shamed Andrew Bone utilized the N-word successful his appalling station online aft the last punishment sprout retired betwixt England and Italy astatine Wembley. It followed players Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho missing penalties, which saw a torrid of racist maltreatment online.

Taking to Twitter (now X), Bone posted "n*****s ruined it for us". Shocked users connected the level were capable to find Bone's LinkedIn profile, which showed helium was an property cause for the bureau Savills astatine the time.

Bone, however, initially denied posting the tweet, making different station afterwards saying: "OMG I hadn't said anything." The 41-year-old from Sale, Greater Manchester, besides claimed his relationship had been hacked.

But a constabulary probe costing £2,730 recovered that Bone had been astatine the aforesaid determination arsenic wherever the tweet was posted from astatine the clip it was published, MEN reports, revealing his claims of being 'hacked' were a lie. Prosecuting, Andrew Heyes told Manchester magistrates court that Savills were tagged successful a bid of tweets asking if they employed racists.

The steadfast investigated the allegations, earlier aboriginal sacking Bone. A unfortunate interaction connection from the bureau work successful tribunal said it had suffered harm to its marque and that the institution "greatly appreciates the publication and committedness of our divers workforce."

The tribunal heard that Bone had nary erstwhile convictions, but had antecedently posted different tweets of a akin nature. On November 14, 2012, helium posted: "If the achromatic dude Tweets the N-word, tin I RT the tweet? What the f*** is the protocol here?" In 2021, helium posted: “F*** the Italian, Welsh, and Scottish, let’s physique a bloody large wall.”

Defending, solicitor Michael Hogan said 1 had suffered ‘consequences’ successful nationalist for astir 4 years pursuing the offence, and had been nether the power of intoxicant astatine the clip of sending the offending message. The tribunal heard that Bone’s parent had besides been 'plagued' by poison pen letters pursuing the incidental and that Bone was ‘absolutely terrified of being committed to prison’.

He said: “The existent tweet itself was sent erstwhile the suspect was successful drink, nary uncertainty coiled up by immoderate of the different radical helium was with, and past deleted. We would taxable it was plainly retired of character. He’s not a dyed successful the wool racist."

The tribunal heard that Bone present works arsenic a plasterer and takes location astir £1,600 per period successful pay, of which helium is near with astir £200 to £300 aft outgoings. Mr Hogan added: “For idiosyncratic who operated a spreadsheet and sat down a machine each time agelong to alteration tack successful that way, successful my submission shows the effort he’s making to pb a law-abiding life.”

Sentencing, lawman territory justice Barnett said Bone’s Tweet was "clearly motivated by hostility based connected race," but added that "it was a azygous tweet that was deleted comparatively quickly." Bone wiped tears from his eyes arsenic helium was told helium would not beryllium going to prison.

He was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to undertake 15 rehabilitation enactment days. He was besides ordered to wage a full of £1,054, made up of a £154 unfortunate surcharge, £400 successful prosecution costs, and a £500 publication to the constabulary investigation.

Bosses astatine Savills had sacked Bone from a his occupation arsenic a commercialized gathering manager, the institution antecedently said successful a statement. He declined to talk extracurricular tribunal erstwhile approached by reporters.

Following the Euros final, politicians and nationalist figures condemned the racist maltreatment directed towards England players pursuing the match. Victim Jadon Sancho said "society needs to beryllium better" pursuing the tirade, saying hate would "never win".

In a station connected Twitter connected July 12, 2021, the time pursuing the match, Prince William said: “I americium sickened by the racist maltreatment aimed astatine England players aft past night’s match. It is wholly unacceptable that players person to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It indispensable halt present and each those progressive should beryllium held accountable."