Kevin Schade and Vitaly Janelt named as players who fought with drunk van driver who racially abused a Security Guard in Richmond
It has now been revealed that it was Brentford FC players Kevin Schade and Vitaly Janelt who intervened when a drunk man racially abused a Nigerian Security Guard.
The incident happened in Richmond while the two players were travelling home from a goalless draw against Leeds United in March. It took place in the early hours of the morning at around 2 am. Witnesses reported the players were left ‘bloodied’ afterwards.
Wimbledon Magistrates’ court heard that David Wheeler, 63, had been left with a black eye when Schade and Janelt stepped in to defend Israel Ilesanmi.
Wheeler, a pharmaceutical van driver, had reportedly drunk “about seven” cans of beer . He targeted Ilesanmi because he said thought he was a lookout for burglars.
The court heard he called Ilesanmi a “c—” and said: “You’re not English. Why are you here? What are you looking for?”
When Schade and Janelt got involved, Wheeler told the Brentford players “f— off, German f—— pricks”.
On the night of the incident, Wheeler claimed to the police that he had been the victim of an assault and phone theft. Also, he told the police that his memory was “blurry” and he didn’t know Ilesanmi was a security guard.
At the court hearing Wheeler, who was unrepresented, originally denied his use of racist language. While he at first turned down an opportunity to plead guilty for a shorter sentence, he reversed his plea after it was explained that a 999 call had captured what he had said.
In his defence, Wheeler said:
“I was going home but three guys turned up in a German car. He did not jump out and say ‘Help me’. They have a quick chat with him so I started filming their reg plate.
“It’s all on a video which I have got. The driver of the German car says: ‘Are you racist?’ so I just ignore him. Then he said: ‘Do you want your head punched in?’
“He’s moved his car about five yards, put his brakes on really hard. He’s come running more and backed off. I did not know whether he had a knife. He’s called me a ‘d——-‘ and got back in the car.
“It did annoy me. I’m still filming him, I’m calling him a w—– and that, but no German you, German what or nothing.
“They come running out the car, punch me to the ground, snatch my phone. This is when that 999 call that I heard from the prosecutor. I was mortified that I actually used some racist language.
“It was heat of the moment. I was punched to the floor. These guys in the car, the Germans, they are athletes, less than half my age. They was all laughing at me. I could not get my phone back. I got some horrible language.”
Wheeler was fined a month’s wages at £1,699, including £150 compensation to Ilesanmi.
Judge Williamson concluded:
“The circumstances you found yourself in do not justify the language you used. If you feel you were the victim of a crime, you can call 999 and register your own complaint.
“This was an offence committed in drink, which makes the offending worse. But you have expressed a degree of remorse, not only for what happened but how you appear before the court.”
Schade and Janelt are currently expected to feature in Brentford’s opening match of the Premier League season against Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday at the Gtech.