Hillsborough: Man Fined For Wearing T-Shirt Mocking Tragic Football Fans

'I don’t think it’s any less than I deserve'

A 50-year-old man who wore a T-shirt mocking the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster has been fined £600.

Paul Grange admitted a public order offence at Worcester Magistrates’ Court, adding he was ashamed of what he had done and had deservedly lost his home, job, friends and relationship.

Grange - who pleaded guilty to a charge of displaying abusive writing likely to cause distress - was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £135 in costs.

Policemen stand outside the Leppings Lane end of the Hillsborough ground, as the flowers pile up in memory of the fans that died
Policemen stand outside the Leppings Lane end of the Hillsborough ground, as the flowers pile up in memory of the fans that died
Paul Marriott/EMPICS Sport

Representing himself in court, Grange told magistrates he now realised the hurt caused by a slogan on the T-shirt, which described the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy as “God’s way of helping” a pest control firm.

Images of the shirt, which Grange openly wore in a pub beer garden on Sunday May 29, caused widespread anger on social media.

After hearing a victim impact statement from a woman whose brother died at Hillsborough, Grange, of Lower Wick, Worcester, told magistrates: “Hearing that statement, it’s hit home, the personal effect of it.

“It (the T-shirt) was only supposed to be between friends. And until it went public I didn’t realise how badly it affected people.

“Because of my own actions, I have lost my home, my job, my friends, my family and relationship. And it’s deserved - I don’t think it’s any less than I deserve.”

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