Football Banning Order imposed over man’s homophobic behaviour

A man has been issued with a three-year Football Banning Order following homophobic behaviour in Brighton.

Jefferey Terry was seen making abusive gestures during a fixture between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace.

The 58-year-old was sat in the away section of the crowd when he made the gestures towards home supporters.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on March 24, Terry admitted using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The offence was deemed to be aggravated by homophobia, and Sussex Police is sharing the result of the case to highlight the consequences of unacceptable and abusive behaviour.

Terry, formerly a carpet fitter of Windermere Road, Croydon, admitted the charge.

The court was told that the offence happened on February 3, 2024, after Brighton and Hove Albion had scored.

Terry was sat near the segregation line and was seen making the gestures which were captured on CCTV.

He was ejected from the stadium and arrested.

At interview he accepted that his behaviour could be perceived as homophobic and cause alarm and distress to others.

Speaking after the case, Dedicated Football Officer PC Gregg Marshall said: “The impact of the use of this abusive behaviour means that other football supporters often do not feel safe to attend matches.

“It can also have an impact of staff and officers who are working to ensure everyone can attend the match and get home safely.

“Attitudes are changing, and by challenging unacceptable behaviour we hope to show that abuse has no place in our stadiums or in the game of football itself.”

Both Brighton and Hove Albion and the FA both have policies in place to tackle homophobic chanting inside the stadium and to respond to incidents.

Terry was sentenced to a three-year Football Banning Order which restricts his access to matches. He was ordered to pay £300 costs, a £270 fine, and a £108 surcharge.