A Leicester City fan has been forced to pay fines of more than £400 after admitting to chanting homophobic abuse during their home encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion last month.
Jason Holmes, 44, was arrested after a police officer heard him shouting a homophobic word at Seagulls fans during the game at the King Power.
Appearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court today, Holmes pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined £300 and made to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
Prior to the hearing Holmes had attended an educational course put on by Kick It Out, the campaign which is attempting to eradicate discrimination from the game.
Janine Smith of the Crown Prosecution Service told Sky Sports News: "The CPS takes all forms of discrimination seriously and has an important part to play in eliminating it from football. This offence was treated as a homophobic hate crime and Jason Holmes received an uplifted fine from the court.
"The role of the Criminal Justice System is to rehabilitate and prevent further offending as well as to punish. The CPS contacted Kick it Out about the educational sessions they provide and Jason Holmes was offered such a session to help him understand the full impact of his behaviour, which he attended.
"The contribution of Kick it Out to this case has ensured that, as well as facing the consequences of his actions, this defendant will understand why his actions were so unacceptable."
Leicester went on to win the contest 2-0.
Neil Wilkes
