LONDON (AFP) - A man who racially assaulted Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling was jailed for 16 weeks after pleading guilty to the offence at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Karl Anderson, 29, smiled as he was sentenced for kicking and shouting racial abuse at Sterling outside City's training ground ahead of Saturday's Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur.
The court was shown CCTV of Anderson, who has a history of football-related violence, driving his van alongside Sterling's vehicle as the player waited to enter the training ground.
Both men then got out of their vehicles and Anderson walked towards Sterling.
Carl Miles, prosecuting, said Anderson, who had been in the vehicle with his partner, began shouting racial abuse at Sterling.
Miles said: "He sets out kicking Mr Sterling to the legs on four occasions."
The court heard Sterling's left hamstring was sore after the attack but he did not suffer serious injuries and went on to score two goals in city's 4-1 win over Spurs.
In a victim personal statement, which was read to the court, the 23-year-old footballer said he had been "completely shocked" by the incident.
He said: "I didn't think this type of behaviour still happened in this country in this day and age."
Sentencing, chairman of the bench Diana Webb-Hobson said: "This was an entirely unprovoked attack. You stopped your car and you got out.
"The personal statement was very moving, we find injury was sustained.
"Your previous record was appalling, you don't seem to learn anything, do you?"
The court heard Anderson had 25 previous convictions for 37 offences, including throwing a flare at a police officer during a football match.
Miles said he was subject to a football-related violence banning order which prevented him from attending certain matches.
He said: "He is now finding alternative ways to express violence and aggression, all relating to football."
John Black, defending, said Anderson, of Woodward Street in Ancoats, Manchester, had lost his temper with Sterling after his girlfriend asked him to seek an autograph from the player.
He said: "He apologises through me to Mr Sterling for his actions."
He said the defendant could not explain his actions and "bitterly" regretted them.
Sterling has been one of the stars of City's record-breaking season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions as Pep Guardiola's side have romped clear at the top of the Premier League and racked up 16 straight league wins.
