Kian Holt was spotted chanting disgusting slurs towards rival fans
Kian Holt sentenced at South Sefton Magistrates’ Court
A teen who pleaded guilty to tragedy chanting apologised for his actions as he left court. Kian Holt was seen by a steward at Anfield banging a metal wall while shouting disgusting slurs in the away section during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City.
During the hearing in South Sefton Magistrates’ Court yesterday, January 8, it was heard a steward notified a police officer about the 19-year-old’s actions. Holt was arrested on suspicion of tragedy chanting and Ed Hanley, prosecuting, said when he was confronted by police he told the officer: “I don’t even know what that means” – referring to the slurs he had been chanting about Liverpool fans.
It was heard how Holt, of Medlar-with-Wesham, Lancashire, has “a lot of resect for the city” after he was born with a hole in his heart that required treatment in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital as recently as 2020. Alison Sharples, defending, read a statement from Holt which said: “I have never understood the impact my behaviour would have until it was explained to me.”
Ms Sharples went onto explain he is a season ticket holder at Manchester City and how he has reflected on his behaviour since the incident. She continued: “He went home to his grandfather and his grandfather sat him down to explain the tragedies that have occurred and the impact the actions have on fans.”
Kian Holt, 19, of Medlar-with-Wesham, Lancashire
Holt, wearing a grey suit and blue shoes, wiped away tears as he stood in the dock. Sentencing him, District Judge Paul Healey said: “The incident took place at a football match, a high profile match with thousands of people.
“People get emotional, people shout and scream, support their team. There are, however, limits as to what can be said. Your actions clearly referenced a football tragedy, people there will have lived through these football tragedies, they may have lost people close to them. There are limits on what is acceptable in that context, you accept you went too far and you have reflected on that.”
As he left court with his grandparents, the ECHO approached Holt about his comments. Questioned why he had chanted the slurs he remained silent, but when asked if he was sorry he turned and said “I’m sorry” as he walked away.
Holt pleaded guilty to using threatening/abusive words/behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was handed a three year Football Banning Order, told to pay a £200 fine, £85 prosecution cost and £80 victim fee, all to be paid within three months.