Andrew Bone outside Manchester Magistrates’ Court. (Image: SWNS)
Andrew Bone, 41, took to his X (formerly known as Twitter) account to send a vile message after England were beaten on penalties by Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley on July 11, 2021.
The tweet, which followed the penalty shootout defeat to Italy at Wembley in 2021 and targeted England stars , Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford, read: “n*****s ruined it for us”.
The racist post came as England made its debut in the Euro finals. Racist remarks circulated post-match were publicly denounced by at the time.
Today, Bone found himself before Manchester Magistrates’ Court, where he received a six-week prison sentence, suspended for a year. Declining comment to the press outside the court, the Sale, Greater Manchester resident had earlier denied any wrongdoing under the Malicious Communications Act, claiming his Twitter account had been hacked.
However, he later admitted the charge and changed his plea to guilty.
Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard the offensive tweet was sent from Bone’s account on July 11, 2021, later followed by another post stating, “OMG I hadn’t said anything.”
Andrew Bone outside Manchester Magistrates’ Court. (Image: SWNS)
Prosecutor Andrew Heyes detailed how other users connected the vile tweet to Bone’s LinkedIn profile, revealing his role as a commercial building manager at Savills.
The company faced serious backlash after being implicated in a scandal where an employee was accused of racism. Amidst public outcry, the firm responded that was conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, police carried out cell site analysis costing £2,730 to prove the individual in question, Bone, had indeed been at the location of the concerning social media activity, dismantling his defence that he had been hacked.
A statement by Savills was read in court, expressing the damage done to its brand reputation, and saying that the company “greatly appreciates the contribution and commitment of our diverse workforce.”
The court heard that Bone had no previous convictions but had a history of similar behaviour, including questionable tweets dating back to November 14, 2012.
Andrew Bone outside Manchester Magistrates’ Court. (Image: SWNS)
He had written: “If the black dude Tweets the N-word, can I RT the tweet? What the f*** is the protocol here?”
More recently, in 2021, he posted: “F*** the Italian, Welsh, and Scottish, let’s build a bloody big wall.”
His defence counsel, Michael Hogan, argued that Bone had endured public ‘consequences’ for nearly four years since his transgression and cited alcohol influence at the time of the offending tweet. It was also mentioned that Bone’s mother had received troubling anonymous letters post-incident and that Bone himself was profoundly fearful of potential imprisonment.
Hogan said in Bone’s defence: “The actual tweet itself was sent when the defendant was in drink, no doubt wound up by some of the other people he was with, and then deleted.
“We would submit it was plainly out of character. He’s not a dyed in the wool racist.”
The court heard Bone has transitioned from desk work to plastering, earning around £1,600 monthly but retains merely £200 to £300 after expenses.
Mr. Hogan said: “For somebody who operated a spreadsheet and sat behind a computer all day long to change tack in that way, in my submission shows the effort he’s making to lead a law-abiding life.”
When sentencing, deputy district judge Barnett acknowledged that Bone’s offensive tweet was indeed “clearly motivated by hostility based on race,” yet pointed out “it was a single tweet that was deleted relatively quickly.”
The emotional weight of the moment saw Bone in tears upon learning he would avoid jail. He received a six-week jail term, suspended for a year, with an order to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days.
Furthermore, Bone must cover £1,054 in various charges: a £154 victim surcharge, £400 for prosecution costs, and £500 towards the police investigation.
Andrew Bone outside Manchester Magistrates’ Court. (Image: SWNS)
After an internal review, Savills had fired Bone from his role as a commercial building manager, a decision they confirmed in a public statement.
Following the Euros final, politicians and public figures condemned the racist abuse directed towards England players following the match.
Among them, took to Twitter the day after the game, July 12, 2021, expressing: “I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match.
“It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour.
“It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable.”