A man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to sending malicious messages on social media between the 19th and 23 June 2025, which were racially charged towards England defender Jess Carter during the Euros last summer.
Nigel Dewale, 60, a white man, admitted to sending racially abusive messages via her TikTok. He, however,r avoids immediate jail but received a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. This means that if he reoffends in the next 12 months, he will have to serve that six-week sentence; if he does not, he goes scot-free. This is in addition to a four-year football ban, a three-month curfew between 8 pm and 6 am, 10 days of community work, and a £239 fine.
Lancashire Police confirmed the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) traced the messages to Dewale, who was arrested in August.
He wrote racist messages under the username “Bogeyman”, which included derogatory references to Carter's race, and made claims linking race to crime, including murder and grooming. Also targeted women's football with comments such as “Women’s football is diabolical. Should not be on national TV "Waste of airtime”. This could imply he is not just racist but also exists as well.
I believe he should and could be referred to kick out those who run programmes to teach those who have perpetrated abuse in football to rehabilitate them back into football to prevent reoffending.
To add to the wider sentencing context, the court also heard that the defendant admitted to possession of an offensive weapon, namely an extendable baton, in a private place in February.
John Moran, speaking for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “When England's women were successfully winning a second straight Euros victory, Dewale chose racism over patriotism. This case should be a stark reminder to so-called keyboard warriors: online actions have consequences. This type of social media offending will not be tolerated. Those who peddle hate, on or off the pitch, will be brought to justice.”
The CPS worked with football authorities, including the Premier League and the FA, to stamp out hate in football. He also emphasised the profound impact such hate crimes have on a player mentally, and that this demonstrates that the CPS will act where offensive content is reported. Though some have suggested that the punishment was not harsh enough for such crimes to be taken seriously, this is described as a “slap on the wrist”. However, the sentencing guidelines introduced a resumption of suspensions of custodial sentences of 12 months or less.
Though the District Judge at the Blackburn Magistrates' Court, Tony Watkin, told Dewale that he had “come very close indeed” to being sent to prison. The reason he was not is that he is the primary carer for his 20-year-old daughter, who has epilepsy,y and the realistic prospect of rehabilitation, which is why it was a suspended sentence.
Unfortunately, this case and sentencing have not made an impact, as illustrated by the persistence of harmful attitudes toward racism and abuse in sport under a Sky News video on Instagram reacting to the sentencing in this case.
The comments are as follows: “It is just hurty words on platforms; there is a delete and block function. People are very weak these days.” “Free speech no longer exists… he needs to abide by a curfew because a coloured girl didn’t like what he said.” “He’s innocent.” “Jail for a Facebook post. Ridiculous state of affairs.” “If she can’t take it, get thicker skin.”It shouldn’t be illegal to be racist.”
The irony is that what they are saying is illegal. In the UK, there is no “constitutional right to free speech”; it is not enshrined in law, therefore, it makes convicting someone of a hate crime much easier. The claim that he is "innocent" is absurd; he clearly is not. He has pleaded guilty, thereby admitting he has committed a crime. Finally, it is illegal to be racist if you follow the Discrimination Act and the Equality Act directly, in any manner of discrimination, including their ethnicity, e.g., the colour of their skin is illegal.
To be more specific to social media hate crimes, several UK laws cover this topic. Communications Act 2003 (Section 127): Criminalises messages that are “grossly offensive” or menacing. Public Order Act 1986: Prohibits threatening, abusive, or insulting behaviour intended or likely to stir up racial hatred.
Sentencing Act 2020 (Section 66): Allows harsher sentences for offences aggravated by hostility towards race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Most recently, the Online Safety Act 2023 also places a legal obligation on platforms to remove illegal hate speech.
Online hate includes harassment, which is repeated targeted abuse, expressing intent to cause harm, encouraging hatred or violence and content that goes beyond offence into harm.
These responses highlighted why campaigners and authorities argue that tougher punishments and education are necessary to ensure the seriousness and gravity of such crimes are fully understood.
The impact on Carter is insurmountable; it has left her anxious, unable to leave her hotel, and has handed control of her social media accounts to her sister.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham condemned the abuse as “disgusting racism”.
The FA said it welcomed the decision to hold Dewale accountable and reiterated its commitment to working with police to ensure perpetrators of hate face justice.
Sport England chairman Chris Boardman added, “For too long, online misogyny and racism have gone unchecked by big tech. But consequences create change, and today’s sentence sends a clear message: we value women’s sport.”
The most concerning issue was that these comments he made were on a post which was about someone else being arrested for racism towards Carter. They saw the possible consequences of their action and then decided it was still what he wanted to do.
Hopefully, this is the start of the end, where people realise the consequences of their actions.
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