Two men who mocked the death of Leicester City’s owner at a Millwall match have been convicted of a public order offence.
Peter Brooks, 48, and Freddie Brooks, 18, from Bermondsey, made helicopter gestures at Leicester fans referring to the 2018 crash that killed club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
The Met said it was an example of “tragedy chanting” while DC Phil Dickinson said the “vile offences” were “simply a hate crime”.
During the January fixture at The Den, Peter Brooks and his son Freddie were filmed making helicopter gestures to Leicester City fans and pointing at a passing helicopter before laughing. This was clearly a reference to the helicopter crash in 2018 which killed the club’s then owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, and four others.
After being ejected from the game, both men were later charged via postal requisition with a public order offence.
On Wednesday, 21 February they appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court where both pleaded guilty and were dealt with as follows:
Freddie Brooks, 18 (19.10.05), of Rolls Road, SE1 was given a 12-month conditional discharge, three-year Football Banning Order, required to pay £85 in costs, and a victim surcharge of £26.
Peter Brooks, 48 (16.05.75), of the same address was fined £266, issued with a three-year Football Banning Order and required to pay £85 in costs and £106 victim surcharge.
DC Phil Dickinson, Football Investigations Team, said
Det Con Dickinson, of the Football Investigations Team, said the men’s behaviour “crossed the line of what is acceptable”.
“These convictions demonstrate the zero tolerance approach we are taking to those who partake in so-called ‘tragedy chanting’. While such incidents might previously have been viewed as simply being in poor taste, they are now rightly being recognised for what they are – vile offences which cause upset and outrage.
“We are familiar with fans taunting their opponents at football matches, but this is generally done and taken in good humour and without offence. This incident crossed the line of what is acceptable. It was quite simply a hate crime.”
