Lancashire man, 60, admits sending abusive TikTok messages to England footballer Jess Carter
A 60-year-old man has admitted sending abusive social media messages to England footballer Jess Carter.
Nigel Dewale, of Great Harwood, sent the posts to Carter’s TikTok account during the Uefa women’s Euro 2025 tournament last summer.
In one post, he wrote: “Women’s football is diabolical. Should not be on national TV.
“Brownies are racist murders (sic), fiddlers and groomers. End ov (sic).”
He also posted: “Racist card again. Always brownies faking.
“This women’s football should not be on TV. Waste of airtime.”
Carter, 28, was part of the successful Lionesses squad that successfully defended their title last summer.
Dewale appeared at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on Friday where he pleaded guilty to sending a malicious message via a public communications network between June 19 and June 23.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, namely an extendable baton, in a private place in February last year.
Magistrates adjourned the case until March 25 for pre-sentence reports and warned Dewale, of Prospect Street, that all sentencing options were open, including custody.
Dewale was granted unconditional bail.
Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary Mark Roberts – the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for football policing – said: “Everyone is responsible for what they do and say, and posting a message on social media is no different.
“In this case, Dewale sent hateful and malicious messages thinking that he would be able to hide behind his account name.
“His comments were totally abhorrent. They caused emotional distress for Miss Carter and her family, and I welcome the guilty plea entered today.
“We have been clear that hate crime online or in person is not acceptable and as we have shown in this case, you cannot hide behind a social media profile to post vile comments and spread hate.”
Pc Dan Fish, dedicated football officer at Lancashire Police said: “No one should log on to social media and see the type of messages posted by Dewale, which were frankly appalling.
“Lancashire Police do not tolerate hate in any form, and I hope that Dewale being brought to justice today sends a clear message to anyone who thinks his actions were OK. They were not.
“He made a conscious decision to send those messages and will now face the consequences of doing so.
“We will continue to leave no stone unturned in identifying people responsible for hate crime.”