West Ham fans charged with antisemitic abuse on flight

Two West Ham fans have appeared before a crown court judge, accused of racially aggravated harassment while en route to a match in Europe.

Lee Carey, 56, and 31-year-old Jak Bruce are accused of directing chants towards a man in Orthodox Jewish dress on a flight from Stansted Airport to Eindhoven in the Netherlands on November 4 last year.

Essex Police said the pair were travelling to a game against Belgian side Genk.

Carey, of Romford, east London, and Bruce, of Dartford, Kent, were not asked to enter a plea during a brief hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court.

At an earlier hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, both men indicated they would deny the alleged public order offence.

The defendants, who are both on bail, appeared at Tuesday’s hearing by video-link and each spoke only to confirm their identity.

Judge David Turner QC adjourned the case until May 17 for the prosecution to consider whether it has jurisdiction.