A football fan has been charged with racially abusing Sunderland and England striker Darren Bent's mother. John Davison, 26, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, is accused of abusing Shirley Bent after her son's team played Wigan Athletic in November.

She was allegedly subjected to abuse in the away supporters' car park of Wigan's DW Stadium.

Mr Davison is due to appear again before Wigan Magistrates' Court on 2 February.

Mark Humphries, Wigan divisional crown prosecutor, said: "The charge relates to an incident, near to the DW Stadium in Wigan, where a female was subjected to racial abuse whilst attending her vehicle on the away supporters' car park."