James White sentenced to 24 years for violent and sexual offences
James White, a 39-year-old Manchester United supporter from St Michael’s Crescent in Stockton, Warwickshire, has been handed a 24-year prison sentence for a string of violent and sexual offences committed against a woman, reports BritPanorama.
White was convicted at Warwick Crown Court on 9 June 2026 of all 14 charges brought against him, which included rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, threats to kill, and intentional strangulation. He received his sentence on 20 August.
The case has gained particular public attention due to White’s prior notoriety. In 2023, he was prosecuted for wearing a football shirt that mockingly referenced the 97 Liverpool supporters who perished in the Hillsborough disaster. This earlier conviction resulted in a four-year ban from attending regulated football matches in the UK and a £1,000 fine.
The incident involving the Hillsborough shirt occurred during the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City on 3 June 2023. The shirt, adorned with the number 97 and the phrase “Not Enough,” was described by District Judge Mark Jabbitt as “hard to imagine a more… offensive reference to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.” The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance condemned White’s actions as a “despicable act.”
White later provided a questionable explanation for his actions, stating the shirt referred to his grandfather, who had died aged 97 “and didn’t have enough kids.” He was photographed smirking upon arrival at Willesden Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charge.
The investigation into his latest offences began following an emergency call at 1:08 PM on 30 November 2025, made by a relative of the victim who reported that White was armed with a knife. The victim managed to alert her family about her danger before White fled the scene.
Upon arrival, police found the victim with extensive bruising on her face and further injuries to her back and torso. She revealed that White had threatened her with a blade and had inflicted a cut to her abdomen. Officers tracked White down just 28 minutes later in a nearby pub, where he was arrested.
The investigation revealed a sustained pattern of violence and sexual abuse, with offences taking place from 17 October to 30 November 2025. The charges included two counts of rape, assault causing bodily harm, and threats with a knife.
Despite denying the charges, a jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts during the trial. DC Baylie Cairns, the investigating officer from the Domestic Abuse and RASSO team, commended the victim’s bravery in reporting the abuse. “The victim escaped the cycle of abuse by having the courage to tell a family member, prompting the police to take action,” she stated.
Cairns described White’s actions as part of a “relentless” campaign of abuse. “She showed remarkable bravery in discussing the horrific offences committed against her,” she added.
Following the sentencing, DC Cairns expressed hope that the 24-year term would provide the victim with some measure of comfort. “While nothing can undo the harm caused, this sentencing will prevent White from posing a risk to her and others,” she stated, highlighting the importance of justice served.
As the echoes of the courtroom fade, the case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent struggles against abuse and the broader societal responsibilities in safeguarding vulnerable individuals. It’s a battle fought with courage, reflecting not just the individual strength of a victim, but the collective determination to seek justice and protect those who may suffer in silence.
