An Everton fan who sent a vile picture of Mo Salah with a suicide vest superimposed on it has been spared jail - but only because he admitted it and showed contrition.
Gary Hyland had just 13 Twitter followers when he got involved in an argument with fans of rival club Liverpool which descended rapidly.
During the incident in the early hours of August 6 he said "you don't see us praying to Allah at half time."
When asked what the issue with muslims was he sent out the image of Mo Salah playing for Liverpool at Stanford Bridge with a suicide vest superimposed along with a pressure pad detonator.
Hyland claimed he didn't realise it had the potential to go viral in the way it did but the image has not been removed from the 32-year old's social media.
He confessed to the sending a racially aggravated tweet intended to cause distress earlier this month and also to obstructing officers who arrested him at his then home two days later by claiming he didn't know where his phone was when it was actually hidden under a cushion.
Hyland, of no fixed abode, appeared in the dock at Sefton Magistrate's Court today to learn his fate.
The court heard Liverpool FC had been contacted for a victim impact statement but had declined to get involved in the matter.
It also heard Hyland has previous offences relating to public disorder but had been out of trouble for five years.
Representing him, defence agent Rachel Worthington said he was contrite and embarrassed about what had happened.
She said: "What started as a playful exchange between supporters of rival teams went way too far.
"At the time he had 13 followers on Twitter and did not realise would go to so many people.
"He is very embarrassed, it has had an impact on himself and his family.
"He made a full and frank admission."
Imposing a sentence, district judge Maggie MCormack warned him he could have faced jail.
She said: "I do not know what impact it has had on Mo Salah but it is likely it would have had a detrimental impact on him and his family.
"The only thing stopping you going to custody immediately is your contrite admission and that you were aware when arrested by police officers how wrong your behaviour was.
"The tweets were offensive and disgraceful and the court has to send out a message to society that it will not be tolerated.
"I hope that has sunk in."
She imposed a six week suspended sentence for 12 months, ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and spend 14 days attending a promoting human dignity course.
