CAGED: Drunken racists who abused former England and United player Andy Cole
TWO drunken plane passengers have been jailed after former Manchester United and Newcastle footballer Andy Cole was subject to a barrage of racist abuse.
Cole, 42, was aboard an Are Arran flight from Dublin to Manchester when the drunken louts became rowdy and noticing the former England footballer became abusive with one calling him "Mr Blackman".
Gregory Horan, 26, and Lee Bryne, 28, smuggled a bottle of rum onto the flight at 9.30am in December last year and proceeded to become disorderly and offensive toward Cole and the flight staff.
Judge Mushtaq Khokar gave Byrne a 20-week sentence after he admitted a racially-aggravated public order offence and being drunk on an aircraft.
Horan, of no fixed address, recieved a ten-week sentence for being drunk on an aircraft.
The judge also said that Bryne's words would have been "equally harmful" to Cole whether he'd said them drunk or sober.
Minshull Crown Court in Manchester heard how the pair were given the option of getting off the flight before it took off but they declined.
Their drunken behaviour intensified and Bryne began pestering Cole who was sat nearby.
Bryne said: "Where I'm from it's politically correct to address you as Mr Blackman".
Cole became distressed and told Bryne to "just leave it" but the lout persisted and the incident culminated with Bryne calling the ex-footballer a "spook" – a highly racist slur.
Rachel Faux, prosecuting, said the former striker had felt "extremely humiliated and degraded" and she read out a statement from him which said: "I've done a lot of work in sport and football around racism.
"I've been the victim of racism before and will not tolerate abuse in any capacity.
"I am worried if nothing happens or changes the next generation of young people, including my own children, will suffer the same discrimination and that is unacceptable to me."
Byrne, right, and Horan left, wearing a blonde wig leave court after their sentencing [CAVENDISH] Speaking after the sentencing Cole also said: "I'm very happy with the verdict, however this behaviour cannot be tolerated and needs to be stamped out.
"This verdict sends a message to others that this type of behaviour/attitude is not acceptable.
"We need to set a precedent for the up and coming youth of today in order for positive progress."
Cole, 42, was aboard an Are Arran flight from Dublin to Manchester when the drunken louts became rowdy and noticing the former England footballer became abusive with one calling him "Mr Blackman".
Gregory Horan, 26, and Lee Bryne, 28, smuggled a bottle of rum onto the flight at 9.30am in December last year and proceeded to become disorderly and offensive toward Cole and the flight staff.
Judge Mushtaq Khokar gave Byrne a 20-week sentence after he admitted a racially-aggravated public order offence and being drunk on an aircraft.
Horan, of no fixed address, recieved a ten-week sentence for being drunk on an aircraft.
The judge also said that Bryne's words would have been "equally harmful" to Cole whether he'd said them drunk or sober.
Minshull Crown Court in Manchester heard how the pair were given the option of getting off the flight before it took off but they declined.
Their drunken behaviour intensified and Bryne began pestering Cole who was sat nearby.
Bryne said: "Where I'm from it's politically correct to address you as Mr Blackman".
Cole became distressed and told Bryne to "just leave it" but the lout persisted and the incident culminated with Bryne calling the ex-footballer a "spook" – a highly racist slur.
Rachel Faux, prosecuting, said the former striker had felt "extremely humiliated and degraded" and she read out a statement from him which said: "I've done a lot of work in sport and football around racism.
"I've been the victim of racism before and will not tolerate abuse in any capacity.
"I am worried if nothing happens or changes the next generation of young people, including my own children, will suffer the same discrimination and that is unacceptable to me."
Byrne, right, and Horan left, wearing a blonde wig leave court after their sentencing [CAVENDISH] "This verdict sends a message to others that this type of behaviour/attitude is not acceptable.
"We need to set a precedent for the up and coming youth of today in order for positive progress."
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