Fan who mocked dead player given banning order

A Sheffield Wednesday fan who held up a message to rival supporters mocking the death of a former Sheffield United player has been given a football banning order.

Brandon Pedryc, 23, typed out "Where's Baldock" in large letters on his phone and waved it at opposing fans during the Steel City derby at United's Bramall Lane ground on 11 November.

The message was a reference to the death of former United player George Baldock, 31, who died in Greece a month earlier, Sheffield Magistrates' Court heard.

District Judge Marcus Waite described Bedryc's actions as a "moment of madness" but said there was "significant upset caused".

The judge said he accepted Pedryc's claim to police that he was responding to being pelted by coins and a bottle as well as being spat on by United fans, who were in a tier of the stand above the visiting Wednesday supporters.

He also accepted Pedryc, who lives in Barnsley, was not directly responsible for his message being quickly shared on social media, although he said this response could have been predicted by the defendant.

The judge said: "I have no doubt that distress was caused to the fans involved.

"And there must have been enormous distress to the family and friends of the deceased player, which followed from your actions even if that was not what you intended."

The judge told Pedryc that "you may have been provoked but you reacted by raising the stakes".

The court heard the defendant approached a police officer within an hour of the incident once he realised the message had gone viral.

He told interviewing officers it was "a sick joke, nothing more" and he just wanted to "wind up" United fans.

The judge said he had received a lengthy letter from Pedryc and accepted he was "thoroughly remorseful".

Alex Nolan, defending, told the court his client had already lost his £30k job as a result of his actions, although he said he had now secured other work.

Pedryc admitted displaying writing, a sign or other visible representation which was threatening or abusive within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.

As well as the football banning order for three years, he was fined £300 and ordered to pay £250 in costs and surchages.

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