Liverpool fan pleads guilty for homophobic hate crime
A Liverpool fan denied entry into last year’s FA Cup final for a homophobic hate crime has pleaded guilty and had his fine increased, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced.
Paul Boardman was spotted by police officers chanting ‘rent boy’ slurs to Chelsea supporters ahead of last May’s clash against Liverpool, who went on to win the showpiece on penalties at Wembley Stadium.
Officers confiscated the ticket of the 34-year-old from Sefton outside the stadium and he was given a dispersal order, which meant he had to leave the area.
Boardman was later interviewed and pleaded guilty to using threatening words/behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress, contrary to Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.
On December 5, he was sentenced and received a heavier fine due to the hate crime element. The CPS decided last year the use of the term ‘rent boy’ was a homophobic slur and that anyone caught singing the words would be liable for prosecution. —Sky Sports
