Sterling attacker jailed for racially aggravated assault

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Manchester, December 20: The man who launched a racially aggravated attack on Raheem Sterling has been jailed for 16 weeks.

Karl Anderson entered a guilty plea at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, having racially abused and kicked the Manchester City star outside the club's training base prior to Saturday's match against Tottenham.

It was disclosed during proceedings that 29-year-old Anderson, who must also pay £100 in compensation, had 25 prior convictions for 37 offences, which included football-related violence.

A victim impact statement from Sterling which was read to the court said that he "did not think this kind of behaviour happened in this country in this day and age".

Anderson apologised for his actions, saying he had "lost his temper".

Reports circulated following City's 4-1 defeat of Tottenham on Saturday (December 16) that the England international had been racially abused and kicked as he arrived at the club's training base prior to the match.

GMP announced on Tuesday (December 19) that an arrest was made in connection with an incident on Clayton Lane that they are treating as a "hate crime".

Sterling is the top scorer for the Premier League leaders this season, with 15 goals in all competitions.

Source: OPTA