Sterling’s attacker jailed for 16 weeks

ACONVICTED football thug smiled as he was jailed yesterday for 16 weeks for attacking and racially abusing Raheem Sterling before Manchester City’s win over Tottenham.

Manchester United supporter Karl Anderson, 29, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court.

It was heard he called Sterling a ‘black Scouse c***’ and added: ‘I hope your mother and child wake up dead in the morning, you n****r.’

The incident took place last Saturday after Anderson’s girlfriend, who was a passenger in his white van, asked him to request an autograph from Sterling as the 23-yearold player waited to drive into City’s training ground. CCTV footage showed both men getting out of their vehicles and Anderson (right) walking towards Sterling.

Anderson shouted racial abuse at the England forward and then began kicking him. The court heard Sterling was left with a sore left hamstring, but was able to play against Spurs and scored twice in City’s 4-1 win.

Carl Miles, prosecuting, said: ‘ He approaches Mr Sterling and can be seen to be bouncing on the balls of his feet. He sets out kicking Mr Sterling to the legs on four occasions. He is a professional footballer. His legs are important for his job.’

Mr Miles added Sterling was ‘completely shocked’ by the attack. In a statement, the player said: ‘I didn’t think this type of behaviour still happened in this country.’

Sterling was born in Jamaica and raised in London. Anderson’s ‘ Scouse’ remark was a reference to his time with Liverpool before joining City for £49million. Sterling’s partner Paige Milian gave birth to a boy at the start of this year. He has a daughter from a previous relationship.

Magistrates were told Anderson has a history of football-related violence. He has 25 previous convictions for 37 offences, including throwing a flare at a police officer during a game. He was one of 12 United fans handed a football banning order after violent disorder ahead of an FA Cup tie against Sheffield United in 2016. Mr Miles added: ‘He is now finding alternative ways to express violence and aggression, all relating to football.’ John Black, defending, said Anderson could not explain his behaviour and bitterly regretted it, adding: ‘He apologises to Mr Sterling for his actions.’ Anderson, of Woodward Street in Ancoats, Manchester, was ordered to pay £100 compensation and £115 victim surcharge. Sentencing, chairman of the bench Diana Webb-Hobson told Anderson: ‘This was an unprovoked attack. Your previous record was appalling. You don’t seem to learn anything, do you?’