Latest news with #ChesterFC
BBC News
25-05-2025
- BBC News
Chester: 'I finally have peace after stalker sentenced'
A woman whose ex-partner stalked her after she ended their 13-year "toxic" relationship has said she can finally "lock the door and feel safe" after he was given a restraining order. Teana Lynne, 52, said it "took a long time to be brave enough" to leave him and report the stalking and she wanted people to know "there is a light at the end of the tunnel". Ex-Chester FC player, Andrew Shelton, 44, from Blacon, Chester, pleaded guilty to stalking Ms Lynne and sending communications of an offensive nature to her and was given a suspended sentence at Chester Crown Lynne said she had been scared by his "dangerous" behaviour. After she ended their relationship, she said Shelton, who she also ran a bistro in Chester with, sent her a card saying: "Enjoy your birthday. I'll be watching from afar." Ms Lynne, who is from Saltney, Flintshire, said Shelton had also posted an abusive response to a comment she had made on a friend's social media post telling her to "die".A friend had told her he had made disparaging remarks about her, while commenting about what she was wearing in a particular place at a certain time."That really scared me. That was the day I realised that this could be dangerous," she said it had been a "toxic and narcissistic relationship" with a "rollercoaster of up and down emotions", where "you're living for that time when they are how they were when you first met, not realising that that first time was just an act". 'Peace at last' Shelton was given a 40-week jail sentence suspended for two years, along with 100 hours of community service and a restraining order was put in place banning him from going into her North Wales hometown for a 10-year Lynne, who is a model and head of operations at a financial investment company, said she was relieved and glad "to have peace at last and not loud voices and banging" in her home."I can lock that door and there are cameras all around and I can sit there with my feet up and with my dogs and just feel safe," she said."Even the dogs have stopped shaking now. They used to run out of the room in fear."She added: "I wish I'd stuck to my guns the first time I left him. "It might just help people to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Don't give up."I don't want anyone else to go through what I did." Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
ITV News
24-04-2025
- ITV News
Chester FC fan took his own life after racism allegation at match against Warrington Town
An HGV driver who killed himself hours after police launched a probe into an alleged racist gesture made at a football match 'could not face the embarrassment' of a potential club ban or jail term, an inquest heard. Keen Chester FC fan Andrew Paul Hewitt, 52, was found dead at his family home in Flint, North Wales, on 1 December, the day after he attended an away fixture at National League rivals Warrington Town. Following the match, video emerged online of a 'small group' of Chester fans making gestures towards a Warrington player, a hearing at County Hall, Ruthin, was told on Wednesday, 23 April. Chester FC released a statement in which it expressed its discontent with the video and later said an individual had been identified and police would take appropriate action, the inquest heard. In a statement, Mr Hewitt's brother Alan said the father-of-one's behaviour was 'completely out of character'. He said: 'Andrew got caught up in the moment.' He added that his brother must have read the club statement, together with comments online, and thought he would either face a lengthy ban or a custodial sentence, and 'could not face the embarrassment of either outcome'. A note was found at Mr Hewitt's home in Palace Close which read: 'I f***** up. Sorry.' A number of family members attended the brief hearing at County Hall where Mr Hewitt was described as a 'hard-working individual' who had followed Chester FC home and away for 40 years, and was in a long-term relationship with Hayley Williams. Recording a conclusion of suicide, HM Coroner for North Wales John Gittins expressed his condolences as he told the family: 'It is a very tragic loss in very extreme, difficult circumstances. 'I can see this is a gentleman who is very much missed and the hole he has left is very difficult to fill in all of your lives.'
Metro
24-04-2025
- Metro
Football fan took his own life after feeling shamed from making racist gesture
A football fan took his own life just hours after police launched an investigation into his alleged racist gesture at a match. Chester FC fan Andrew Paul Hewitt, 52, 'couldn't face the embarrassment' of a potential club ban or jail term, an inquest heard, and was found hanging at his home in Flint, North Wales, on December 1. The day before, he had attended an away fixture at National League rivals Warrington Town. After the match, a video emerged of a 'small group' of Chester fans making racist gestures, including a 'monkey gesture', towards a Warrington player, a hearing at County Hall, Ruthin was told. Chester FC quickly released a statement, condemning the video, and later said an individual had been identified and police would take appropriate action. 'Racism has no place in sport or society, and anyone found to have displayed such behaviour will receive an indefinite ban from attending matches,' they said. In a statement, Mr Hewitt's brother Alan said the father-of-one's behaviour at the match was 'completely out of character': 'Andrew got caught up in the moment.' He said he believed his brother read the club statement, together with comments online, and thought he would either face a lengthy ban or a custodial sentence – both of which he could 'not face the embarrassment of.' A note was found at Mr Hewitt's home which read: 'I f***** up. Sorry.' A number of family members attended the brief hearing at County Hall, where Mr Hewitt was described as a 'hard working individual' who had followed Chester FC home and away for 40 years, and was in a long-term relationship with Hayley Williams. HM Coroner for North Wales John Gittins expressed his condolences as he told the family: 'It is a very tragic loss in very extreme, difficult circumstances. 'I can see this is a gentleman who is very much missed, and the hole he has left is very difficult to fill in all of your lives.' Samaritans are here to listen, day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email jo@ or visit for more information. Cheshire Police said in a statement: 'During the match between Warrington FC and Chester FC on Saturday, November 30, police were made aware of a racially aggravated public order offence. More Trending 'The suspect was identified and was due to be spoken to at a later date about the matter. 'Sadly, the man was reported to have died at an address in Flint on Sunday, December 1. There are no suspicious circumstances, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.' A similar incident in 2021 caused Newcastle FC to launch an investigation into an alleged racist gesture made by a fan towards a Tottenham player. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: I visited the Amazon returns warehouse where everything is discounted MORE: The UK's 'friendliest' city offers 2,000 years of history to explore
Irish Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Football fan took own life after 'embarrassment' over racist gesture probe
A football supporter who killed himself hours after police launched a probe into an alleged racist gesture made at a football match 'could not face the embarrassment' of a potential club ban or jail term, an inquest heard. HGV driver Andrew Paul Hewitt, 52, was found hanging at his family home in Flint, North Wales, on December 1, the day after he attended an away fixture at National League rivals Warrington Town. Following the match, video emerged online of a 'small group' of Chester fans making gestures towards a Warrington player, a hearing at County Hall, Ruthin, was told on Wednesday. Only a few hours before his death, the keen Chester FC fan had been filmed appearing to make an offensive monkey gesture towards a black player who played for local rivals Warrington Town while their team celebrated a goal. Chester FC released a statement in which it expressed its discontent with the video and later said an individual had been identified and police would take appropriate action, the inquest heard. In a statement, Mr Hewitt's brother Alan said the father-of-one's behaviour was 'completely out of character'. He said: 'Andrew got caught up in the moment.' He added that his brother must have read the club statement, together with comments online, and thought he would either face a lengthy ban or a custodial sentence, and 'could not face the embarrassment of either outcome'. A note was found at Mr Hewitt's home in Palace Close which read: 'I f***** up. Sorry.' He was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.35am, in what assistant coroner Kate Robertson called an "apparent act of self harm", at his inquest opening in December, reports The Mirror. A number of family members attended the brief hearing at County Hall where Mr Hewitt was described as a 'hard-working individual' who had followed Chester FC home and away for 40 years, and was in a long-term relationship with Hayley Williams. Recording a conclusion of suicide, HM Coroner for North Wales John Gittins expressed his condolences as he told the family: 'It is a very tragic loss in very extreme, difficult circumstances. I can see this is a gentleman who is very much missed and the hole he has left is very difficult to fill in all of your lives.' Speaking after Andrew's death, a neighbour said they were shocked at what happened. "We all found out it was Andy who'd been accused of being racist. It doesn't sound like him," they said. "He's a lovely lad and they are a great family. We're all stunned that he took his life over this. I feel so sorry for the family." Another said they had seen the ambulances outside his home before later learning what had happened - and said Mr Hewitt's partner had been left "devastated" by his death. National League North club Chester FC posted on social media in December, following his death, saying: "It is with sadness Chester FC has been made aware of the tragic death of the individual involved." In a previous statement released after the Warrington Town game, the club had said they were "angry and dismayed at an alleged instance of racism" and had "identified the individual in question", with information due to be shared with the FA and Cheshire Police. *If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@ or visit their site to find your local branch.
Wales Online
23-04-2025
- Wales Online
Football fan dad killed himself over 'embarrassment' after alleged racist incident
Football fan dad killed himself over 'embarrassment' after alleged racist incident Andrew Hewitt's bother Alan said the dad-of-one's behaviour was 'completely out of character' and he'd 'got caught up in the moment', at a football match Andrew Hewitt was a big fan of Chester FC. Chester's ground is pictured (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live ) An inquest has heard how an HGV driver "could not face the embarrassment" of a potential club ban or jail term and took his own life hours after police launched a probe into an alleged racist gesture made at a football match. Andrew Paul Hewitt, 52, a big fan of Chester FC, was found hanging at his family home in Flint on December 1. He had been at an away fixture at National League rivals Warrington Town the previous day. A hearing at County Hall, Ruthin, was told on Wednesday, April 23, that video had appeared on the internet after the game showing a "small group" of Chester fans gesturing towards a Warrington player. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here Article continues below Following the emergence of the video Chester FC said someone had been identified and police were investigating. Mr Hewitt's brother, Alan, said in a statement that the father-of-one's behaviour was "completely out of character". "Andrew got caught up in the moment," he said. He believed his brother read what the club had to say and comments online, and suspected he might be banned as a result or even jailed. Andrew, "could not face the embarrassment of either outcome," said Alan. At Mr Hewitt's home in Palace Close a note was found Mr Hewitt was said at the inquest to be a "hard-working individual" who had followed Chester FC home and away for 40 years. He was said to be in a long-term relationship with Hayley Williams. A number of family members attended the hearing at County Hall. Article continues below HM Coroner for North Wales, John Gittins, recorded a conclusion of suicide and expressed his condolences as he told the family: "It is a very tragic loss in very extreme, difficult circumstances. "I can see this is a gentleman who is very much missed and the hole he has left is very difficult to fill in all of your lives." The Samaritans can be contacted on 116123 or email jo@
