Man cautioned over homophobic abuse following Brighton football match (From The Argus)

Man cautioned over homophobic abuse following Brighton football match

11:46am Tuesday 20th December 2011 in News By Ruth Lumley

A football fan who hurled homophobic abuse at supporters leaving a match has accepted a caution after answering bail.

The 18-year-old man, from Bromley, Kent, was given strong words of advice by Sussex Police after shouting at Brighton and Hove Albion fans at Falmer railway station following a match against Barnsley at the Americn Express Community Stadium on Sunday November 6.

The teenager, a Barnsley supporter, apologised and was sent on his way by officers but it later came to light that it had not been an isolated incident.

He was arrested in Bromley by Metropolitan Police on November 22 and bailed to Sussex.

The man answered bail at in Brighton yesterday where he accepted a caution for using threatening words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

PC Darren Balkham, Sussex Police football liaison officer, said: “The Amex has quickly become established as a stadium that welcomes everyone, regardless of their individual personalities or preferences, and we are determined that anyone guilty of homophobic abuse will be dealt with.

“Last month a Southampton supporter was convicted of shouting anti-gay abuse during a match against Brighton and has been banned from football for three years.

“This latest caution, which came about as result of chat about the incident on a website fans' forum, demonstrates that we are taking this matter seriously and will take action.”