Football fan took his own life after racism allegation at match

AN HGV driver who took his own life 'could not face the embarrassment' of a potential club ban or jail sentence after a probe into an alleged racist gesture made at a football match was launched by police, an inquest heard.

- BY NICOLE WOOTTON-CANE AND TIM HANLON

Dedicated Chester FC fan Andrew Paul Hewitt, 52, was found dead in his home in Flint, North Wales, on December 1.

His body was discovered just hours after he attended at an away game against National League rivals Warrington Town, where video footage showing a 'small group' of Chester fans making gestures towards a Warrington player surfaced online.

Mr Hewitt had been recorded seemingly making a racist monkey gesture directed at a black player from Warrington Town during their team's goal celebration.

Chester FC released a statement in which it expressed its discontent with the video and later said an individual had been identified and police would take appropriate action.