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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Footballer used corkscrew 'to ward fans off' | Footballer used corkscrew 'to ward fans off' |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| A footballer accused of threatening fans with a corkscrew has admitted possession of an offensive weapon. | A footballer accused of threatening fans with a corkscrew has admitted possession of an offensive weapon. |
| A court heard Aidan Chaves, 26, reacted angrily to taunts from fans and was spat on during a home game for Sawbridgeworth Town FC on 25 March. | A court heard Aidan Chaves, 26, reacted angrily to taunts from fans and was spat on during a home game for Sawbridgeworth Town FC on 25 March. |
| But he denied screaming threats at Clacton supporters on the touchline at the Hertfordshire club. | But he denied screaming threats at Clacton supporters on the touchline at the Hertfordshire club. |
| Stevenage Magistrates' Court adjourned the case for a later hearing to decide if he had made threatening comments. | Stevenage Magistrates' Court adjourned the case for a later hearing to decide if he had made threatening comments. |
| The three magistrates were told that Chaves had faced derogatory remarks from the fans of the opposing team, including songs about his skill as a player, his tattoos and his mother. | The three magistrates were told that Chaves had faced derogatory remarks from the fans of the opposing team, including songs about his skill as a player, his tattoos and his mother. |
| One fan is said to have spat on him as he prepared for a throw in. | One fan is said to have spat on him as he prepared for a throw in. |
| The court heard Chaves ran to the changing room and emerged carrying a broken corkscrew. | The court heard Chaves ran to the changing room and emerged carrying a broken corkscrew. |
| Prosecutor Prosecutor Rufia Khatun said that, holding it aloft and running towards the Clapton fans, he allegedly screamed "Come here. I'm going to cut your throat." | Prosecutor Prosecutor Rufia Khatun said that, holding it aloft and running towards the Clapton fans, he allegedly screamed "Come here. I'm going to cut your throat." |
| Chaves - who gave his address as Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise, in the Irish Republic - pleaded guilty to a charge of having an offensive weapon in a public place. | |
| The court was told he entered the plea on the basis that he had not uttered the threats that had been referred to by the prosecution. | The court was told he entered the plea on the basis that he had not uttered the threats that had been referred to by the prosecution. |
| In a statement he said he had grabbed the corkscrew to "ward the fans off". | In a statement he said he had grabbed the corkscrew to "ward the fans off". |
| Magistrates adjourned the case so that another hearing can take place on 10 August to decide if he had made the threats as claimed by the prosecution. | Magistrates adjourned the case so that another hearing can take place on 10 August to decide if he had made the threats as claimed by the prosecution. |
| Chaves was granted unconditional bail. | Chaves was granted unconditional bail. |