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Man admits offensive post over football fan death

Dave Higgens/PA Media Richard Crisp leaves court. He has grey hair, combed over to one side and wears glasses. He does not look at the camera and wears a blue suit and tie.Dave Higgens/PA Media
Richard Crisp appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court for the hearing on Monday

A man has admitted sharing an offensive online message which seemingly mocked the death of a football fan who died at a Sheffield Wednesday game.

West Brom supporter Mark Townsend died after suffering a medical episode at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield's Hillsborough Stadium in September.

Sheffield magistrates heard how Richard Crisp took to X, formerly Twitter, and made reference to the Hillsborough disaster which killed 97 Liverpool fans.

On Monday, Crisp, 55, of Lennox Road, Hillsborough, admitted sending communications of an indecent or offensive nature and was told he would be sentenced in January.

West Bromwich Albion Mark TownsendWest Bromwich Albion
Mark Townsend died after a medical episode at Sheffield's Hillsborough Stadium last month

Magistrates were told that Crisp's post made a reference to the death of Liverpool fans as a result of the crush at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989 at the Hillsborough ground.

Sheffield Wednesday responded to the post by issuing Crisp with a lifetime ban.

The court heard that Crisp told police he was "extremely remorseful" after he was arrested and admitted what he had done immediately.

Crisp was bailed ahead of next year's hearing.

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