James White, the man banned from every football ground in the UK after mocking the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, has been jailed for 24 years for rape and sexual assault. The 36-year-old subjected his victim to a five-week campaign of abuse, during which he threatened to kill her with a knife.
Campaign of abuse
Warwick Crown Court heard how White, of St Michael's Crescent in Stockton, was arrested on November 30, 2025. A relative of the victim informed Warwickshire Police that she had been attacked by White, who was armed with a knife. Officers were called to the address in Stockton before the attacker fled the scene. The victim was found with bruising over her face and other injuries to her back and torso.
She told police that White had threatened her with a knife and had also used it to cut her on her abdomen. The force tracked down the attacker at a nearby pub shortly after and he was arrested.
Investigation and conviction
During their investigation, detectives discovered that White had inflicted a campaign of abuse against the victim from October 17 to November 30. This involved violent and abusive behaviour against her, including rape and sexual assault.
The 36-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charges but was found guilty of all offences on June 9 this year. The offences include two counts of rape of a woman over 16, assault of a female 13 and over by penetration with body part, engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in a relationship, 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.
Victim's bravery praised
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."
Hillsborough shirt ban
White was banned from every football ground in the UK after pleading guilty to displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He wore a Manchester United shirt with the number 97 on the back along with the words "Not Enough" during the club's FA Cup Final against Manchester City in 2023.
At the time, District Judge Mark Jabbitt said it was "hard to imagine a more offensive reference to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster". White told police officers that the shirt related to his grandad, who died at the age of 97 "and didn't have enough kids". However, he was fined £1,000, ordered to pay £485 in costs and banned from all UK games for four years. He will now spend 24 years behind bars.
