Stuart Duncan banned for 3 Years from Home Park

Former major sponsor of Argyle

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/racist-plymouth-argyle-supporter-banned-2815327?fbclid=IwAR1e3JiuRL1s4OopNxcrAdeCFy1KgXi70us_MubdRE6ahjNfANugqFUtX5Q

Jesus Wept...
What on earth was Jane Hallett doing providing references when he was pleading guilty !

C&P the relevant bits old bean, I literally can't even load of full page before it crashes and yes that's with ad block.

A businessman who denied shouting "shut up P**is", claiming he actually shouted "shut up p***ys" at Bradford City fans, has been fined and banned from Home Park for the next three years.

Stuart Duncan, aged 55, appeared at Plymouth Magistrates' Court today where he pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harrassment.

Prosecutor Claire Tresidder, said the Crown Prosecution Service did not accept the basis of plea, noting that police had gathered evidence which included three youth coaches who were sat near Duncan who would swear on oath they heard him use the word "P***".

In response, Graham Kinchin, defending, said in sentencing terms it made no difference.

Duncan provided letters of reference in his defence from a former Argyle player and Jane Hallett, the wife of chairman Simon Hallett, in an attempt to highlight his previous good character.

District Judge Diana Baker said she felt it did make a difference and stated that the use of "racist language is appalling". She noted evidence which revealed how there were more than "100 younsters" in the grounds at the time and that Duncan, of Durnford Street, was a "mature gentleman of previously good character" and who was "with his own son in the ground".

She added that there were three youth coaches prepared to give evidence against Duncan in a trial after he initially pleaded not guilty, ready to state he said the word "P***s", but told the court she would deal with Duncan on the basis he said "p***ys".

District Judge Baker noted how the match at Home Park on December 8, 2018 between Plymouth Argyle and Bradford City was a "youth specialist day" which saw hundreds of youngsters and coaches attend the ground particularly in the area Duncan was seated.

She noted how Bradford had "quite a substantial Asian support group" and that she could not imagine why Duncan - who attended court wearing a suit, tie and aided by a walking stick - would have used the word "p***y" as Bradford was not known for a large travelling community.

She noted the evidence put forward by the CPS that Duncan was heard by youth coaches shouting "shut up P***s" and was ejected around half way through the game.

She also noted how during police interview he never claimed to have used a different word and instead denied the entire offence and denied he was a racist, claiming he had no idea there were any Asian people among the opposing supporters.

Ms Tresidder, of the Crown Prosecution Service told the court there were children aged between eight and 16 where Duncan was sat.

She read out a statement from Plymouth Argyle which stated that the club's stated aim was to make attending football matches "as inclusive and enjoyable as possible for all members of society" and supported the police's action in bringing the case to court.

She read that the club said: "We do not, and shall not, tolerate discrimination in any form and the colour of a player's or supporter's skin, their gender, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation or gender reassignment should have no bearing on their ability to attend matches in an atmosphere free of intimidation.

We are determined that Home Park will become one of the most family friendly parks and inclusive stadiums in the country, but this won't be possible until people are confident that they are able to attend without having their enjoyment spoiled by other so-called supporters who seem to be of the opinion that they are entitled to break the law and ruin other supporters' entertainment.

"We urge the court to assist the club and police in our efforts to identify and bring to account those who are unable to act in an appropriate way, and respectfully request that the strongest possible sanction is awarded to those found guilty of racist behaviour.

"There is no place at Home Park for racism or discrimination of any kind. There is no place in football for racism".

Graham Kinchin, defending, said Duncan had become aggrieved at the "lewd gestures" the Bradford City fans had made and had shouted back "sit down p***ys".

He said Duncan had supported Argyle for more than 50 years and had no convictions. He said Duncan had tried to organise football matches in Gambia to raise money for a clean water charity.

He noted how one of Duncan's letter of reference was from an ex-Argyle player "of mixed race" who he had helped sponsor in the early part of the player's career.

District Judge Baker noted another of the references was from the "wife of the owner of the club" to which Mr Kirchin confirmed it was a message which had come from Jane Hallett.

In an effort to stave off a Football Banning Order Mr Kinchin said his client was "forced to retire early" because of his expected criminal conviction and that Duncan "accepts the word that came out and he will regret it for years to come".

He said that 50 years supporting the club was a very very long time, all without incident, adding that Duncan was a season ticket holder for 10 years.

He noted that Duncan was a product manager of a global business development and travelled the world for his job in water automation.

He said Duncan was "due to retire next year but forced to retire because [the] job is no longer tenable" and asked the District Judge for "a degree of leniency".

District Judge Diana Baker said she gave "some credit" for the guilty plea "just before trial" and noted Duncan's "completely positive record in the past".

he ordered Duncan to pay a £600 fine, a £60 victim surcharge and £400 court costs, totalling £1,060.

Turning her mind to the Football Banning Order she noted how Duncan's shouts to the Bradford fans in response to their behaviour "were encouraging disorder". She also recognised it was shouted out in front of hundreds of youth supporters and their coaches, which would have left them "horrified".

She added: "Whether or not a person is a traveller, or of a different sex, orientation, religion, race, colour... we are all equal and nobody deserves to be castigated in the manner you did".

She told Duncan that "the law says I must make that order" and while he had "excellent references" and had been a supporter "for many years" there was a concern "that it will happen again".

She passed a three year banning order which will see him banned from attending league matches in England and Wales and excluded from Central Park around Home Park on matchdays. The order will also necessitate him giving up his passport when England national games are held abroad.

Sgt Ben Robillard of Devon, Dorset and Cornwall Police's 'Alliance Sporting events Department' - colloquially known as the Football unit, said: "Unfortunately, in recent years there has been a distributing rise in the number of reported incidents of racism at football matches Nationally. Within Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, we are pleased to say that we are working closely with our local clubs to stamp out any form of racism.

This type of behaviour will not be tolerated at football matches and rest assured that we will act swiftly and firmly against any individual or group who feels that this behaviour is acceptable.

"In particular, we welcome the recent support of Plymouth Argyle Football Club who have been assisting us in dealing with a number of reported cases. This is the second conviction in two weeks of reported racist behaviour at Home Park and we currently have a number of ongoing investigations into further reported incidents of racist language and behaviour inside the ground.

"We welcome and will support any persons coming forward to match day stewards or Police Officials if they have witnessed any type of racist/discriminatory behaviour. We would like to place on record our thanks to witnesses from our recent court appearances whose evidence has greatly assisted in convictions and football banning orders."

Racist Plymouth Argyle supporter banned from Home Park despite backing of chairman's wife

Plymouth Live headline for the above article (not written by the Exeter fan journo)

Edited as it appears in hindsight some of the AFT are not so keen to have racism kicked out of football. Wanted the article shared but throw their toys out of the pram when it is attributed to themselves
Cant have it both ways.

harvetheslayer wrote:

The AFT are furious and rightly so.....

"I’ve raised the issue with my Trust Board colleagues and unsurprisingly the one person who has a personal friendship with Simon Hallett has come back and said we should do nothing to upset the Halletts. I’m livid, Argyle is supposed to be backing all the various anti racism campaigns in football - this undermines all of that"

LOl. The irony of Harve, aka "General Rastus" himself, condemning the AFT for not doing enough against racism!

You really can't make this shit up...

Rickler wrote:

harvetheslayer wrote:

The AFT are furious and rightly so.....

"I’ve raised the issue with my Trust Board colleagues and unsurprisingly the one person who has a personal friendship with Simon Hallett has come back and said we should do nothing to upset the Halletts. I’m livid, Argyle is supposed to be backing all the various anti racism campaigns in football - this undermines all of that"

LOl.  The irony of Harve, aka "General Rastus" himself, condemning the AFT for not doing enough against racism!

You really can't make this shit up...

harvetheslayer wrote:

edited

Too late Harve...  

But then...  You won't know that will you?

harvetheslayer wrote:

Edited as it appears in hindsight some of the AFT are not so keen to have racism kicked out of football. Wanted the article shared but throw their toys out of the pram when it is attributed to themselves
Cant have it both ways.

Edited again..  Twice.

Wow..  So now some on the AFT board are racist sympathisers?

Getting better by the minute..

Surely someone will 'out' the AFT racists?

Do the right thing, Harve...

Give us names!

Now Newell denying any Jane Hallett involvement....Gotta keep that Directors box seat safe

Should have banned the racist twat for life.

harvetheslayer wrote:

Edited as it appears in hindsight some of the AFT are not so keen to have racism kicked out of football. Wanted the article shared but throw their toys out of the pram when it is attributed to themselves
Cant have it both ways.

What are you on about Harve?

Where and who from the AFT have condoned racism?

Rickler wrote:

harvetheslayer wrote:

Edited as it appears in hindsight some of the AFT are not so keen to have racism kicked out of football. Wanted the article shared but throw their toys out of the pram when it is attributed to themselves
Cant have it both ways.

Edited again..  Twice.

Wow..  So now some on the AFT board are racist sympathisers?

Getting better by the minute..

Surely someone will 'out' the AFT racists?

Do the right thing, Harve...

Give us names!

Perhaps his friendly case officer can help?

harvetheslayer wrote:

Former major sponsor of Argyle

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/racist-plymouth-argyle-supporter-banned-2815327?fbclid=IwAR1e3JiuRL1s4OopNxcrAdeCFy1KgXi70us_MubdRE6ahjNfANugqFUtX5Q

Major sponsor?

He sponsored Matt Lecointes boots or something

That would get him a banner on Pbay Tbf.

So he excused himself of making a racist barb, by suggesting that that wasn't the case, but he actually made a different racist barb?

Bright lad, then.

Statement from Argyle

“DURING a case at Plymouth Magistrates Court this Tuesday, April 30, Stuart Duncan pled guilty to a charge of racially aggravated harassment during a game at Home Park in December.

Mr Duncan, 55, was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1,060 and given a three-year banning order, under which he will be unable to attend league matches in England and Wales, and is excluded from Central Park around Home Park on match-days.

During the hearing, Duncan provided letters of reference, intended to demonstrate his previous good character, one of which was said to have come from Jane Hallett, the wife of Argyle chairman Simon Hallett.

Jane Hallett would like to make it absolutely clear that she was neither asked for, nor provided, a reference for Mr Duncan.

Further, Mrs Hallett does in no way condone Mr Duncan’s actions at Argyle which led to Tuesday’s court judgement, and condemns racism in all its forms.

Mrs Hallett unequivocally embraces Argyle’s Vision and Values, which were represented to the court.

Plymouth Argyle Football Club is a community-focused, values-driven, organisation, whose stated aim is to make attending football matches as inclusive and enjoyable as possible for all members of society.

We do not, and shall not, tolerate discrimination in any form, and the colour of a player or supporter's skin, nor their gender, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation or gender reassignment should have any bearing on their ability to attend matches in an atmosphere free of intimidation.

There is no place at Home Park for racism or discrimination of any kind.

There is no place in football for racism”

I find it very hard to believe said reference would have been presented by any defence brief worth its salt to the judge and for him to reference it open court if there was a shred of doubt regarding its legitimacy .  I sense much backtracking from Mrs Hallett.

Nevertheless Nool in his role as self appointed attack dog, has deemed this as sufficient ammunition for one of his periodic battles with the herald and he comes off considerably worse.

https://twitter.com/ijn3/status/1123871259257974784?s=21

No wonder the mankovers been slow Nools liberated a jcb to dig that hole deeper,

Edd Moore take a bow
"Inflammatory how? Because you don’t like it? It was a key part of the court hearing. As usual, you’re pointing the finger in the wrong direction"

Hugh Watt wrote:

I find it very hard to believe said reference would have been presented by any defence brief worth its salt to the judge and for him to reference it open court if there was a shred of doubt regarding its legitimacy .  I sense much backtracking from Mrs Hallett.

Nevertheless Nool in his role as self appointed attack dog, has deemed this as sufficient ammunition for one of his periodic battles with the herald and he comes off considerably worse.

https://twitter.com/ijn3/status/1123871259257974784?s=21

Newell gets totally owned

seadog wrote:

harvetheslayer wrote:

Edited as it appears in hindsight some of the AFT are not so keen to have racism kicked out of football. Wanted the article shared but throw their toys out of the pram when it is attributed to themselves
Cant have it both ways.

What are you on about Harve?

Where and who from the AFT have condoned racism?

Apologies Seadog just catching up on several threads. In short the leader of the AFT needs to take a course in English Language because when someone writes "This should be shared" (full stop) followed by the words than I did exactly that on here.

Symons than goes ballistic claiming he meant something else. Thows his toys out of the pram abusive to say the least. Certainly not fit to be a AFT leader in hindsight.

Rickler apparently hovering like a hawk quoted my words before I reluctantly but immediately agreed to remove it. Thats it. Symons wasnt condoning racism he was criticising Jane Hallett for apparently doing so via a reference (subsequently rescinded)

Eh?

harvetheslayer wrote:

some of the AFT are not so keen to have racism kicked out of football. Wanted the article shared but throw their toys out of the pram when it is attributed to themselves

harvetheslayer wrote:

Symons wasnt condoning racism he was criticising Jane Hallett for apparently doing so via a reference (subsequently rescinded)

Since when has Jane Hallett been on the AFT?

Punchdrunk wrote:

Hugh Watt wrote:

I find it very hard to believe said reference would have been presented by any defence brief worth its salt to the judge and for him to reference it open court if there was a shred of doubt regarding its legitimacy .  I sense much backtracking from Mrs Hallett.

Nevertheless Nool in his role as self appointed attack dog, has deemed this as sufficient ammunition for one of his periodic battles with the herald and he comes off considerably worse.

https://twitter.com/ijn3/status/1123871259257974784?s=21

Newell gets totally owned

That is an impressively comprehensive schooling.

Nool can't accept that he cannot always have the last word

Watch out for more barbs at the Herald on Plymouth Argyle's 3rd most readable forum.