Former Birmingham City Star Jess Carter 'Genuinely Scared' After Racist Online Abuse
A 60-year-old man who published racist messages about England defender Jess Carter on social media has been handed a suspended prison term. Nigel Dewale, from Great Harwood in Lancashire, shared two posts during Euro 2025 last summer from his TikTok account using the username Bogeyman.
Disturbing Messages and Their Impact
Dewale was "in drink" at home when he responded to a news article regarding police examining online racial abuse previously directed at Carter following England's fixtures against France and Sweden at the tournament. 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 continued: "Racist card again. Always brownies faking. This women's football should not be on TV. Waste of airtime."
The posts were subsequently traced back to Dewale, who was detained and charged. On Wednesday, he received a six-week custodial sentence at Blackburn Magistrates' Court, suspended for 12 months. He admitted at a previous hearing to transmitting a grossly offensive message through a public communications network.
Profound Effect on the Football Star
Carter, 28, who represents US side Gotham FC, was among the Lionesses squad that successfully retained their title at the tournament in Switzerland. Prosecutor Graeme Tindall stated the original online racial abuse resulted in Carter choosing to stop viewing her various social media accounts, which were instead overseen by her sister.
Carter had not previously encountered such abuse and the remarks "affected her confidence" and left her "anxious and genuinely scared", he stated. Mr Tindall explained: "She did not want to leave her hotel. She was scared she would come face to face with someone who made the comments." The former Birmingham and Chelsea defender reported the incident to the Football Association and police were brought in to investigate.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Subsequently in July a TikTok user published a message about the racism which Carter had endured, prompting the response from Dewale. Bradley Hayes, defending, told the court: "If there was ever a decision he made that he wishes he could take back, then it is this decision. It has filled him with a sense of shame. He has let himself down, his family and his community."
He added: "He has instructed me to make a wholehearted apology to Ms Carter, her family and the wider women's football community for his actions which he accepts are disgraceful and which he regrets deeply. It has been a salutary lesson for him to fully understand the consequences of his actions." Dewale was primary carer for his 20-year-old daughter who suffers from epilepsy, he stated, and that she would be "very much disadvantaged" by an immediate custodial sentence.
Judge's Stern Warning
District Judge Tony Watkin informed Dewale he had "come very close indeed" to sending him to prison but took into account the impact it would have on his daughter. He also felt the accused had a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation". Addressing Dewale, he said: "You targeted her for no other reason than she was a prominent, female footballer. It caused substantial distress and fear to your victim."
He continued: "There is a view held by some that offences of this nature are somehow less serious because they are committed behind a screen. The very opposite is true. Those messages have real-world consequences. In this instance they caused someone who had risen to prominence through her talent and ability to have to change her behaviours."
The judge emphasized: "Your conviction and sentence should serve as a warning that people who send such messages are not anonymous. The police can and will find those responsible."
Additional Penalties and Broader Implications
Dewale, of Prospect Street, was handed a four-year football banning order, though the court heard he hadn't attended fixtures for "many years". He must also observe a three-month curfew, fulfil a community order comprising 10 rehabilitation days and pay £85 court costs plus a £145 victim surcharge.
Dewale received a concurrent prison term of four weeks, likewise suspended for 12 months, after admitting possession of an offensive weapon, an extendable baton, in a private place. Following sentencing, John Moran for the Crown Prosecution Service commented: "When England's women were successfully winning a second straight Euros victory, Dewale chose racism over patriotism."
He added: "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."
