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Last Updated: Friday, 17 September, 2004, 16:46 GMT 17:46 UK
Mother denies racist abuse
Football
The court heard there was ill-feeling between the clubs
A north Wales mother accused of shouting racist abuse at a player during a boys' soccer tournament has insisted she would never say "those awful things".

Joanne Shannon, 38, from Old Colwyn denies racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

She was giving evidence as the defence case opened on the third day of her trial at Denbigh magistrates' court.

The trial will resume next week.

On Friday, Mrs Shannon told Judge Andrew Shaw that she would never racially attack someone.

"Never in a million years would I have said those awful things, never," she said.

Questioned by her solicitor Donald Roberts, she said there had been a lot of noise by many people on the day in April last year.

The incident is alleged to have happened during a match between Llandudno under-15s and Glan-y-Don Cavaliers.

On Thursday, the boy alleged to have been subjected to the abuse told Judge Shaw that he did not hear Mrs Shannon shouting racist taunts.

"I could only hear male voices shouting racist stuff at me," said the boy, who was playing for Llandudno under-15s and scored twice during the match.

"During the game there were shouts of 'give him pain' and 'break his legs' from a female," he said.

The youngster, who cannot be named, said he recognised Mrs Shannon's voice.

The court has heard that the tournament ended in a mass brawl.





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