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A racist plasterer has been given a suspended jail sentence after posting a racist video on Facebook after England's defeat to Italy in the Euro final.
Bradford Pretty, of Guildhall Street, Folkestone, pleaded guilty to sending a message via the internet that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.
Watch the racist video here
The 50-year-old self-employed plasterer, who appeared at Folkestone Magistrates' Court this morning, was arrested two days after the Wembley defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 in July.
Kent Police received a referral from the national football policing unit after the video was linked to an address in the county.
England players Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford had been racially abused after missing penalties against Italy in the game on July 11.
During the one-minute, expletive-laden rant - a cross of St George painted on his face - Pretty says: "Sick, gutted, proper deflated. Be proud of the boys.
"But anyone who knows me well will understand what I'm talking about. Three lions on a shirt. How many times have we seen **** take penalties and **** it up?"
The court heard that Pretty had been drinking all day on the day of the final, consuming up to 16 cans of lager.
Julie Farbrace, prosecuting, said: "Police became aware of the video Mr Pretty had uploaded which shows him talking about the game, after it had finished.
"There were people who commented on the video who were upset.
"It was not sent directly to any of the people named in the video."
Richard Graham, defending, said his client had been drinking all day but did not seek to use this to excuse what he called a "complete moment of madness".
Mr Graham said: "He is a self-employed plasterer, and has explained to me the impact of his actions on the business. He has lost 70% of his work, and been given jobs to go and quote and there's no one there. His wife and family members have had comments made towards them."
Magistrates were told that his business had been ruined as a result of the incident, with many people calling him out to quote for fake jobs.
Hundreds of people left bad ratings for Pretty's company on consumer review website Trustpilot.
The court heard he had responded online to people condemning his comments by complaining about "political correctness".
His defence described the video as "a complete moment of madness".
Pretty was handed a 50-day jail sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
Speaking outside court, Mr Pretty said: "I am not a racist, it was just purely heightened with the England tournament, I was very drunk and that's all I can say. I am very sorry."
Asked if he would like to apologise to the players targeted, he said "of course".
"They had a brilliant tournament. 50 years I've been waiting for my country to win a tournament, I thought it was coming home, it wasn't down to them boys, they played their hearts out, let's just hope we can win it at the World Cup. I apologise."
