A Newcastle United fan has been handed a football banning order after video footage emerged of him taunting Manchester United fans about the Munich air disaster.
James Edward Jeffrey Blake, 42, of Wantage Avenue, North Shields, previously denied (contrary to media reports) an offence of using threatening behaviour when he appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 25th October 2023.
He admitted the offence when he appeared for trial at the same court on Thursday, 4th January 2024.
Threatening behaviour is an offence under section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986. It has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.
Newcastle United's EFL Cup match against Manchester City took place at St James' Park, Newcastle, on the evening of Wednesday, 27th September 2023.
Newcastle went on to win the match 1-0 - thereby knocking City out of the competition - thanks to a 53rd minute goal by Alexander Isak.
Steven Davies, prosecuting, said that Blake, who is well known to the courts, had been filmed by a YouTuber on the steps of St James' Park at the start of the evening.
The self-employed painter, who was clearly that drunk he didn't realise Newcastle were playing Manchester City, started to make a series of lurid comments about Manchester United players being killed in the Munich air disaster.
The footage was later uploaded to social media, where Blake's comments attracted widespread criticism.
Dave Parish, mitigating, told the court that his client was "disgusted and ashamed" of his behaviour.
Mr Parish said: "He realised that it was foolish and he should not have done it.
"He didn't know Newcastle United were playing Manchester United (sic) at that time. They are stupid comments he's picked up as a result of Manchester City."
Mindful that the Crown was also applying for a football banning order, Mr Parish said his client had no history of football-related offending.
He added that Newcastle United has already revoked Blake's season ticket as a result of his conduct.
Jane Barnes JP, Presiding Justice, said the offence was aggravated because children were present and he had been drinking.
She said the football ban was justified, and said: "You knew that it was being recorded and as a result of that, the recording was shown on social media."
Blake was fined £400 and ordered to pay £620 towards prosecution costs and £160 surcharge.
He was also made subject to a football banning order for the next three years.
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