A man who repeatedly shouted homophobic abuse at fans and players during a football match at the Amex Stadium in Brighton has been convicted in court. James Grainger-Brown, a 30-year-old bricklayer from Haywards Heath, was sitting in the away supporters section of the stadium when he made the offensive comments. He was reported to club stewards by fellow supporters, and at full time, supporters from the home section of the stadium also reported his comments. Stewards also heard his comments during the game.
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Grainger-Brown admitted to using offensive words and behavior likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on April 20. The court heard that the offence was aggravated by homophobia. The incident happened during a match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest on October 18 last year. Grainger-Brown was observed by stewards, so he switched places in the stand for the second half of the game but continued to shout homophobic abuse.
