Former Chelsea Women’s defender Jess Carter, who was subject to abhorrent online abuse during the European Championship finals last summer, found out today that her abuser admitted to the offences he was charged of.
The abuse was so bad that the star player, took herself away from all social media during the tournament, leading to full backing from her teammates, and support staff. In todays developments, a 60-year-old from Great Harwood, Lancashire admitted to making the abusive messages.
Nigel Dewale used TikTok to send the vile comments directly to Carter’s account. He appeared at Blackburn Magistrates Court, and the case has been adjourned until March 25. He pleaded guilty to sending the messages, and all options remain open to the courts including prison time.
Carter, now playing her football for Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, the top flight in the United States, was first choice at the start of the tournament for Sarina Weigman’s Lionesses. The England side going on to win the event to claim back-to-back Euro wins.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, who was leading the investigation said.
“Dewale’s comments were totally abhorrent, they caused emotional distress for Miss Carter and her family and I welcome the guilty plea entered today. We have been clear that hate crime online or in person, is not acceptable and as we have shown in this case, you cannot hide behind a social media profile to post vile comments and spread hate.”
The full back made 89 appearances for Chelsea between 2018 and 2024, before a switch to Gotham. She has 52 caps for England, scoring twice.