Two men 'to be sentenced for racially abusing Andy Cole on flight'

Two men will reportedly be sentenced later this year for allegedly racially abusing former Manchester United player Andy Cole on a flight.

Lee Byrne, 28, and Gregory Horan, 26, were arrested in Manchester following a plane journey from Dublin to the North-West city on December 29.

The pair, who were said to have been drunk, committed the alleged offence on the same flight that 42-year-old Cole was on board and would not co-operate with Aer Lingus cabin crew.

Proceedings have been adjourned until March 3 after a judge at Manchester Minshull Street Crown heard that the case would have to be halted as Irish police were not prepared to verbally disclose the pair's previous convictions, according to The Mirror.

Byrne pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence and being drunk on an aircraft, while Horan also admitted to being drunk.