Arrest after fan verbally abuses player’s mum

Dec 2 2009 by Jane Purvis, The Journal

POLICE have arrested a North East man on suspicion of racially abusing the mother of Sunderland striker Darren Bent.

The 26-year-old, from Chester-le-Street, was arrested by officers from Northumbria Police, on Monday on behalf of Greater Manchester Police.

He was questioned in connection with the alleged incident, which is said to have happened prior to Sunderland’s 1-0 defeat at Wigan on Saturday, before being released on bail.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “At 6.50pm on Monday, Northumbria Police arrested a 26-year-old man from Chester-le-Street on behalf of Greater Manchester Police on suspicion of racially aggravated harassment in relation to an alleged incident in Wigan on Saturday. The man has been released on police bail.”

Bent’s mum, Shirley, is said to have been verbally abused in a pub by a Sunderland fan, prior to Saturday’s match.

It is understood a joint investigation was launched by Northumbria and Greater Manchester Police forces after a complaint was made to Northumbria Police.

England International Bent, 25, told of his fury at the attack on the social blog site, Twitter. He wrote: “So, we get beat by Wigan and to make matters worse my mum gets racially abused by a Sunderland fan. I won’t stand for that. It’s an absolute disgrace.”

The alleged abuse is said to have happened in a busy pub where scores of fans had congregated after the match. A Sunderland spokesman said: “Behaviour of this kind is totally unacceptable.”