James White, 36, who wore a Manchester United shirt mocking the victims of the Hillsborough Disaster, has been jailed for 24 years for rape and a series of other violent offences against a woman.
Football ban and offensive shirt
White was banned from every football ground in the country in 2023 after he pleaded guilty to displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. Willesden Magistrates' Court heard that he had worn a United top with the number 97 on the back and the words 'Not Enough' at the club's FA Cup Final with Manchester City.
He was branded 'abhorrent' by a judge and slammed by survivors of the tragedy, which saw 97 supporters of Liverpool crushed to death at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final. District Judge Mark Jabbitt said it was 'hard to imagine a more offensive reference to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster'. A decade ago, a series of inquests found the fans had been unlawfully killed.
Arrest and conviction
White was arrested in November last year after Warwickshire Police received a call from a relative of a woman who said she had been attacked by him with a knife. The victim had called her relative to let him know she was in danger, after which White fled the address. She had bruising over her face and other injuries to her back and torso. She also said that White had threatened her with a knife previously and had also used it to cut her stomach.
He was arrested half an hour later at a pub nearby. Further enquiries found that, over the course of five weeks between October 17 and November 30 2025, White had been involved in a pattern of violent and abusive behaviour against her, including rape and sexual assault.
White denied a number of charges but in June this year was found guilty after a trial of two counts of rape of a woman over 16, assault of a female 13 and over by penetration, engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour, five counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of threatening a person with a knife in a private place, threats to kill and two counts of intentional strangulation.
Sentencing and reaction
White, of St Michael's Crescent in Stockton, was jailed for 24 years. Investigating officer DC Baylie Cairns, of the Domestic Abuse and RASSO team, said: “The victim escaped the cycle of abuse by having the courage to tell a family member it was taking place – at which point we were called and were able to take action against her abuser.
“Over the course of five weeks, James White subjected the victim to a campaign of horrific abuse, violence and sexual assaults. She showed remarkable bravery and courage in speaking to me about the offences committed against her.
“White has now been sentenced to 24 years in prison, preventing him from posing a risk to the victim and others. While nothing can undo the harm caused, we hope this sentence offers her some comfort and reassurance that justice has been served.”
Previous court case
In his previous case, White claimed to police that the t-shirt related to his grandad, who died at the age of 97 'and didn't have enough kids'. He was fined £1,000, ordered to pay £485 in costs and was banned from all UK games for four years.
After the hearing in 2023, Diane Lynn, vice chair of Hillsborough Survivor Supporters Alliance, said it was “very personal” for people who were at Hillsborough that day and that survivors suffered with “guilt”. “How dare he make us feel like this,” she said.
Manchester United said it had issued an indefinite club ban to White. A Manchester United spokesman said: “The club's ban goes further with the immediately imposed three-year suspension being extended to an indefinite ban from all club activities including all matches at Old Trafford. Mockery of Hillsborough and other football tragedies is completely unacceptable and the club will continue to support firm action to eradicate it from the game.”
The FA said in a statement it “welcomed” the sentence, adding White's actions were “reprehensible”, and “abuse that references Hillsborough or any football tragedy will not be tolerated at Wembley Stadium”. “We hope that today's ruling sends a strong message that action will be taken against any perpetrators who behave in this way.”
Douglas Mackay from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said at the time: “The CPS continues to work closely with the football authorities including the Premier League and the Football Association, police, clubs, and charities to look to stamp out all of the appalling and horrendous incidents of tragedy chanting and gesturing. We are sending a clear message that we call on so-called fans to stop this vile behaviour of a minority which has a terrible impact on the bereaved and communities.”
