Tributes to 'unwavering' Hillsbrough campaigner
"His determination and his strength and the love for his son just never wavered," she said.Mr Devonside went the match with his 18-year-old son on 15 April 1989 and they had tickets for different parts of the ground.Christopher stood on the Leppings Lane terraces while Mr Devonside sat in the North Stand, where he watched as the tragedy unfold.He later said he would regret letting his son go to the match for the rest of his life.
At the Hillsborough inquests he read a statement about his son, written by Christopher's mother Jacqueline.Nicola Brook from Broudie Jackson Canter solicitors, who represented Mr Devonside at the Hillsborough Inquests said Mr Devonside will be remembered as a "compassionate" man who was there for everyone."He attended every day of the two years of the inquests," she said."He was so passionate in the fight and not only about his son Christopher and not just about the 97, but about all the survivors who also suffered and also the fans who were lied about and blamed.""When you needed comedy relief he was there, when you needed someone to talk to he was there to have a quiet word.""He will be remembered by many people for the kind-hearted, passionate person that he was."
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Football condemns racist abuse aimed at Antoine Semenyo: Angry Bournemouth captain speaks out, manager reveals star was asked if he wanted to play on - and Reds release statement as player breaks silence
Bournemouth 's fuming captain has revealed how Antoine Semenyo was hurt by the alleged racist abuse made towards him by a Liverpool fan on Friday night. The football world has come out to condemn the incident, which saw a fan in a wheelchair thrown of Anfield by police after appearing to heckle him while he prepared to take a throw. Despite the first-half incident, Semenyo scored twice in a breathtaking encounter as Liverpool won 4-2 and paid tribute to their late forward Diogo Jota. Semenyo has since broken his silence on Instagram, asking 'when will it stop' after a fan posted monkey emojis under one of his photographs, and his captain Adam Smith has livid after the game. Smith told Sky Sports: 'Totally unacceptable, shocked that it happened in this day and age. 'It shouldn't be happening. I don't know how Ant has played on and come up with those goals. It's totally unacceptable. I just feel sorry for Ant. He's a little bit down and to carry on playing, something needs to be done. Taking a knee is having no effect. We'll support him and hopefully he'll be okay. 'I wanted him to react, because that's what I would have done. I would have gone straight over there, but it shows what type of man he is, to not react in the moment and to carry on. Coming up with those two goals shows the type of guy he is. 'I felt angry. Shocked. I said to the referee, I wanted him removed immediately, but they had to go through a process and the police will sort it. 'The Liverpool players were very supportive towards Antoine and the rest of the team. it was handled in the right way, but so angry. 'We've had discussions with the Premier League about it, so they are taking it seriously. I don't know what else we can do! We've been doing it for a long time now and no one is getting it. I don't know what to say anymore. 'I just feel sorry for Ant, that he's had to take that tonight. The whole country is watching and for that to happen is shocking.' The incident occurred just 28 minutes into the new season, when Semenyo was preparing to take a throw-in before he appeared to be heckled by a Liverpool fan. The 25-year-old forward brought the incident to the attention of referee Anthony Taylor, and the match was promptly paused temporarily. Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was seen in discussion with officials and Liverpool manager Arne Slot, before play resumed in the 31st minute. Tonight's match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. This is in line with the Premier League's on-field… — Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) August 15, 2025 It has been alleged that the person who directed the abuse at Semenyo was a Liverpool fan sitting in a wheelchair in the bottom row of Anfield's Main Stand. At half-time, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher also expressed disdain towards the incident. Neville said: 'It overshadows what should be an amazing night, first game of the Premier League season. 'That boy [Semenyo] has basically been racially abused and had to complain about it. It's despicable. I can't even think what would be going through someone's mind [to say that]. Carragher added: 'The amount of campaign we have, kick racism out, all over the world, it's shocking to see an incident like that. 'A shocking incident and rightly reported to the referee.' After the final whistle, Neville said: 'There need to be strong consequences. It's what the game does. We see lots of statements, but there key thing is, what's changing?' Slot commended the attending fans for paying respects to the late Diogo Jota, and admitted that it was disappointing such an incident takes the shine off a memorable night. The Dutchman said: 'We don't want this in football, we don't want this in a stadium, but especially not in Anfield. 'It's unacceptable that something like this happens in a stadium, especially at Anfield. It takes the shine off - our fans were unbelievable with their tributes for Diogo. 'I didn't hear it but it should definitely not happen in a stadium.' In the other dugout, Iraola said: 'Antoine, the referee, everyone explained the situation. The person has been identified. 'It was a great game of football, everyone watching, and now we have to be talking about these things. We should have been past this stage but people don't behave correctly. Every step that you collectively do forward, with this it loses a lot of power. 'He did what he had to do. He said straight away, the referee explained the situation, I don't think he lost his mind, but in the next minutes he was probably thinking. It was a big shame we have to be talking about these things. 'The Liverpool managers, the players, they feel it. Even if it's a Liverpool supporter, they don't want them with them. Everyone understands these things have to be out from everywhere, especially from football.' During the game, Daily Mail Sport's Football Editor, Ian Ladyman, reported from the crowd: 'Two or three minutes before the stoppage I did see Semenyo turn to look at a guy seated in a wheelchair at the front of the Main Stand who was saying something to him quite forcibly. Football fans quickly took to social media to share their contempt towards the incident 'The look on the Bournemouth player's face said all you needed to know.' The Premier League released on official statement during the game, taking to their Match Centre account on X. It read: 'Tonight's match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. This is in line with the Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol. 'The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society. 'We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.' Liverpool also released a club statement during the game to condemn the moment, and revealed a police investigation is ongoing.
Times
38 minutes ago
- Times
Former pastor convicted of abusing woman and children over 23 years
A former pastor with the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) is behind bars after being convicted of the serial abuse of a woman and eight children over a 23-year period. The Rev James Haram, 51, was found guilty of 19 charges of physical and sexual abuse, with a judge branding his victims' ordeals as 'truly awful'. The crimes, which included the rape of the woman, took place between 1997 and 2020 at addresses in Glasgow, Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire and South Ayrshire. Haram subjected the woman, whose identity is protected, to a campaign of abuse The High Court in Glasgow heard testimony detailing Haram's catalogue of abuse. The woman, whose identity is protected, was subjected to a campaign of psychological and physical torment. She was called derogatory names, and Haram would fly into rages, punching walls and throwing household items. The court was told he once threatened to hit her with a piano stool and even mowed over flowers she had grown. His controlling behaviour extended to tracking her movements and conversations. The violence escalated to the point where Haram grabbed and choked her, causing her 'whole body to go limp'. Jurors were also told of the pastor's manipulation as he badgered the woman into sex, using biblical references to force her to 'subject' herself to him. Haram conducted 'modesty checks' on young girls SPINDRIFT During his defence, Haram claimed all sexual encounters were consensual and that the woman was an 'incredibly convincing' liar who had used her 'many wonderful gifts' to 'turn against' him. However, he did admit to 'occasional flare-ups of aggression'. The court was told Haram conducted 'modesty checks' on young girls and violent beatings with a wooden spoon or a rod. John Macpherson, prosecuting, highlighted one girl's 'graphic account of some savagery' and being regularly beaten by Haram, an account which the pastor said was 'wholly fabricated'. In one incident, Haram allegedly flew into a rage while in a car with two children, threatening to deliberately crash and kill them all. He told the trial: 'They knew I did not mean it.' In a final act of defiance, Haram clutched a Bible as he was led to the cells. Judge Tom Hughes told Haram that the jury had heard deeply distressing evidence and that the 'extremely serious offences' would 'obviously carry a lengthy custodial sentence'. Sentencing has been deferred until September for reports, but Haram has been remanded in custody.
The Herald Scotland
42 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Police investigate after Bournemouth footballer reports racist abuse at Anfield
He spoke with managers Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola before the two captains Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith were called over to the dug-outs. An anti-discrimination message was read out to the Anfield crowd, and it is understood that police officers went into the referee's room at half-time. Merseyside Police said a 47-year-old man was removed from the ground, and an investigation was under way after his identity was confirmed. Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton, the match commander for the Liverpool v Bournemouth game, said: 'Merseyside Police will not tolerate hate crime of any form. A man was ejected from Anfield (Peter Byrne/PA Wire) 'We take incidents like this very seriously, and in cases like this we will be proactively seeking football banning orders, with the club, against those responsible.' He added: 'There is no place for racism and it is vital that anyone who witnesses such an offence reports it to stewards, or the police immediately, so we can take the necessary action like we did this evening. 'As with all matches, we work very closely with both Liverpool and Everton FC to ensure the safety of the public, and the players.' A spokesperson for Liverpool Football Club, said: 'Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against Bournemouth. 'We condemn racism and discrimination in all forms, it has no place in society, or football. Antoine Semenyo scored twice after reporting the incident of racist abuse (Peter Byrne/PA) 'The club is unable to comment further as tonight's alleged is incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully.' After the incident, Semenyo scored twice in the second half to help bring Bournemouth back from two goals down at Anfield before Liverpool went on to eventually win the contest 4-2. Smith told Sky Sports News afterwards: 'It shouldn't be happening. I don't know how Ant's played on to be honest and come up with those goals. It's totally unacceptable. 'Something needs to be done. Taking the knee isn't having an effect. We're supporting him and hopefully he'll be OK. 'I wanted him to react because that's what I would have done, but this shows what type of man he is…to come up with those goals showed the type of guy he is. 'To be fair the Liverpool players were very supportive as well towards Antoine and the rest of the team. It was handled in the right way but…so angry. 'I don't know what else we can do. No one's getting it. I don't know what to say anymore. I just feel for Ant … shocking.' The Premier League said in a statement: 'Tonight's match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. 'This is in line with the Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol. 'The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. 'Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society. We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.' The incident comes two days after Tottenham Hotspur player Mathys Tel received racist abuse online after missing a penalty in his side's UEFA Super Cup win against Paris St Germain. The Football Association said it was 'concerned' about the allegation of racism towards Semenyo and that it would ensure 'appropriate action' would be taken. It said in a statement: 'We are very concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd, which was reported to the match officials during the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Bournemouth. 'Incidents of this nature have no place in our game and we will work closely with the match officials, the clubs and the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure the appropriate action is taken.'
