Trial halted after Liverpool fan is accused of racially abusing Antoine Semenyo suffers a seizure in court
Antoine Semenyo, whose alleged abuser reportedly followed a racial slur with a second expletive directed at the footballer during a Premier League match at Anfield.Mark Mogan, 47, on trial at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, allegedly suffered a seizure during the lunch break and was taken to hospital, disrupting proceedings.
Mark Mogan, 47, of Dovecot, Liverpool, was rushed to hospital by ambulance after suffering a seizure during the lunch break of his trial at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Semenyo, now a Manchester City winger, had been due to give evidence by videolink that afternoon. District Judge Mary Dowrick refused an application to continue proceedings in Mogan's absence, and the case is expected to resume at a later date.
Prosecutors told the court Semenyo 'froze' after Mogan, a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, shouted: 'Hurry up and take the throw-in, you black b******.'
Mogan then threw chewing gum at Semenyo, striking the right side of his shorts; a witness said he became 'very cocky and brazen' afterwards and threatened to 'deck the bizzies'.
Mogan denies racially aggravated behaviour and told police Semenyo had called him 'a cripple' first — a claim prosecutors reject.
