Man pleads guilty to sending malicious messages to professional footballer
Nigel Dewale admitted to sending hateful messages to Jess Carter
Last updated 9th Jan 2026
A man from Lancashire has pleaded guilty to sending malicious social media messages to a professional footballer.
England defender Jess Carter was victim to the hateful messages in on her TikTok account during the Uefa women's Euro 2025.
Carter was part of the successful Lionesses squad that successfully defended their title last summer.
Following an investigation, detectives traced some of the messages to an address in Great Harwood.
The owner of that home, Nigel Dewale, was arrested in August following the discovery.
In one post, he wrote: "Women's football is diabolical. Should not be on national TV.
"Brownies are racist murders (sic), fiddlers and groomers. End ov (sic)."
He also posted: "Racist card again. Always brownies faking.
"This women's football should not be on TV. Waste of airtime."
Dewale has now pleaded guilty to one count of malicious communication and possession of a weapon in a private place.
He's due to be sentenced on 25th March at Blackburn Magistrates' Court.
“His comments were totally abhorrent..."
Cheshire Constabulary Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the NPCC Lead for football policing, said, “Everyone is responsible for what they do and say, and posting a message on social media is no different. In this case, Dewale sent hateful and malicious messages, thinking that he would be able to hide behind his account name.
“His comments were totally abhorrent, they caused emotional distress for Miss Carter and her family and I welcome the guilty plea entered today.
“We have been clear that hate crime online or in person, is not acceptable and as we have shown in this case, you cannot hide behind a social media profile to post vile comments and spread hate.”
"...frankly appalling."
PC Dan Fish, Dedicated Football Officer at Lancashire Police said, “No one should log onto social media and see the type of messages posted by Dewale, which were frankly appalling.
“Lancashire Police do not tolerate hate in any form, and I hope that Dewale being brought to justice today sends a clear message to anyone who thinks his actions were ok. They were not. He made a conscious decision to send those messages and will now face the consequences of doing so.
“We will continue to leave no stone unturned in identifying people responsible for hate crime.”