Sterling attacker gets 16 weeks in prison

LONDON: A man who racially assaulted Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling was jailed for 16 weeks after pleading guilty to the offence at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court.

Karl Anderson, 29, smiled as he was sentenced for kicking and shouting racial abuse at Sterling outside City’s training ground ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur.

The court was shown CCTV of Anderson, who has a history of football-related violence, driving his van alongside Sterling’s vehicle as the player waited to enter the training ground.

Both men then got out of their vehicles and Anderson walked towards Sterling.

Anderson, who had been in the vehicle with his partner, began shouting racial abuse at Sterling.

Miles said: “He sets out kicking Mr Sterling to the legs on four occasions.”

Sterling did not suffer serious injuries and went on to score two goals in City’s 4-1 win over Spurs.

In a victim personal statement, which was read to the court, the 23-year-old footballer said he had been “completely shocked” by the incident.

He said: “I didn’t think this type of behaviour still happened in this country in this day and age.”

The court heard Anderson had 25 previous convictions for 37 offences, including throwing a flare at a police officer during a football match.

Miles said he was subject to a football-related violence banning order which prevented him from attending certain matches.

He said: “He is now finding alternative ways to express violence and aggression, all relating to football.”

John Black, defending, said Ander-son had lost his temper with Sterling after his girlfriend asked him to ask him for an autograph.