Dad and son in court over racist chanting; Boro's Mido abused at derby game.

Byline: By BRENDA HICKMAN Crime Reporter

FATHER and son Toon fans have appeared in court over the alleged racist abuse of a footballer.

Barry Norman Hutchinson, 49, of Silver Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle, and his son, Andrew, 23, reportedly chanted racial abuse at Middlesbrough's Egyptian striker, Mido.

The offence was alleged to have happened during the Middlesbrough vs Newcastle game on November 29 - but Andrew Hutchinson denied the charge.

Hutchinson senior was fined pounds 270, with pounds 45 costs, after admitting the offence.

Chair of the Teesside magistrates' bench, Eric Toulims, said: "Middlesbrough have zero-tolerance of racist abuse."

He added that magistrates considered imposing a banning order, but decided against it.

Magistrates heard Hutchinson Senior, a Toon season ticket holder for the last 20 years, joined in with the chants after mishearing the lyrics.

"He thought the song referred to Mido having a ball as opposed to a bomb," explained his lawyer, Chris Marley.

Fellow fans told him the chant implied Mido was a Muslim terrorist - and he joined in, the court heard. Hutchinson, a yard supervisor, was then arrested.

Hutchinson, who has never been in trouble before, co-operated with police.

Mr Marley added: "It was utterly out of character."

Urging magistrates not to impose a banning order, which would bar Hutchinson from every ground in the country, he said: "This is a man who has followed Newcastle for more than 40 years."

The court was also told the defendant fears the episode could cost him his job.

Hutchinson tried to hide his face at Teesside Magistrates' Court after being sentenced.

He admitted chanting "Mido, he has a bomb you know" and "Mido, he's a paedo" at the Riverside Stadium, the court heard.

The pair appeared in court yesterday charged with racist or obscene chanting, under the Football Offences Act of 1991.

Hutchinson senior works for Lease way Vehicle Rental, Gateshead. A spokeswoman for the firm said she had no comment.

It is alleged that a minority of the 3,000 United supporters at the game subjected Mido to abuse.

This is the second time he has claimed to have been abused. Similar shouting at the Riverside a year ago sparked a campaign by Tyneside-based charity Show Racism the Red Card.

A Middlesbrough FC spokesman said: " We will not hesitate to ban supporters identified as directing racial abuse."

Hutchinson's son, Andrew, who lives with his dad, will be tried at a later date.

CAPTION(S):

TAUNTS: Newcastle fan Barry Hutchinson, 49: ZERO TOLERAN Egyptian Mido in action during a recent match