A Millwall football fan has been banned from football matches for four years for homophobically abusing Cherries fans and a steward.

Paul Bignell hurled abuse towards AFC Bournemouth supporters during the Championship fixture with the London club at Vitality Stadium.

A female steward and Millwall supporter who was working at the match witnessed and heard the homophobic abuse and challenged Bignell.

Bignell, 47, of Wheeler Close, Aylesbury, reacted by directing further homophobic abuse at the victim during the incident on the final day of the season on May 7, 2022.

The steward told police which then led to Bignell’s arrest. Upon questioning he denied the offence.

Bignell pleaded not guilty to a charge of using threatening, abusive and insulting words with intent to cause harassment, alarm, and distress, to opposition fans and a football steward, but he was found guilty following a trial at Poole Magistrates’ Court on April 5.

He was back in the dock to be sentenced on Friday, April 28, where he received a 12-month community order and a £1,730 fine.

Bignell was ordered to pay £620 costs and £500 compensation alongside a four-year football banning order.

Bournemouth Echo:

Senior Crown prosecutor for CPS Wessex Gavin Sumpter said: “Paul Bignell shouted homophobic abuse towards the Bournemouth fans and then targeted a female steward who had bravely challenged him on his behaviour and informed him that she was herself married to a woman and found his words extremely offensive.

“The offence was committed in a football stadium where people of all ages and backgrounds should be able to enjoy the sport without fear of being subject to such awful abuse.

"There is no place in football or our wider society for homophobic, racist or any other discriminatory or prejudicial behaviour.

“We will continue to work with police forces, football clubs and authorities to ensure that individuals who commit hate crimes at or in connection with football are prosecuted and are banned from attending matches in the future.”

PC Simon Young, operational football officer at Dorset Police, said: “We do not tolerate homophobic abuse in our communities and will do all we can to ensure those who use hatred language are held accountable for their actions.

“We want to ensure that everyone who attends a football match is safe from prejudice and we will continue to work with our partners to relentlessly pursue this type of behaviour.”