Football fan who mocked death of George Baldock in 'sick joke...

A Sheffield Wednesday supporter who held up a message to rival fans mocking the death of former Sheffield United

star George Baldock has been given a three-year banning order.

Brandon Pedryc, 23, typed out “Where’s Baldock” on his phone and waved it at opposing fans during the Steel City

derby at Bramall Lane on November 11.

According to Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, the note alluded to the 31-year-old former United player Baldock’s passing

in Greece one month prior.

Marcus Waite, the district judge, characterised Mr. Pedryc’s behaviour as a “moment of madness” and stated that

“significant upset caused.” The judge stated that he agreed with Mr. Pedryc’s police statement that he was reacting to

United supporters, who were in a tier of the stand above visiting Wednesday supporters, spitting on him and

throwing coins and a bottle at him.

He also accepted Mr Pedryc was not directly responsible for his message being quickly shared on social media,

although he said this response could have been predicted by the defendant.

“I have no doubt that distress was caused to the fans involved,” the judge said. “And there must have been enormous

distress to the family and friends of the deceased player, which followed from your actions even if that was not what

you intended.”

The judge told Mr Pedryc that “you may have been provoked but you reacted by raising the stakes.”

George Baldock tragically passed away last autumn.

According to the court, the defendant recognised the post had gone viral and went to a police officer within an hour

of the occurrence. He told interrogating authorities that he only intended to “wind up” opposition supporters and

that it was “a sick joke, nothing more.”

The judge told the court he had received a lengthy letter from Mr Pedryc and accepted he was “thoroughly

remorseful.”

Alex Nolan, defending, told the court his client had already lost his £30,000 job as a result of his acts, but he has

now acquired other work.

Mr. Pedryc acknowledged that he had displayed writing, a sign, or any other visible representation that was abusive

or menacing in front of someone who might have been harassed, alarmed, or distressed. He was fined £300 and

forced to pay £250 in fees and surcharges in addition to the three-year football ban.

Football fan who mocked death of George Baldock in ‘sick joke’ handed punishment in court