BRENTFORD stars Kevin Schade and Vitaly Janelt have been named as the heroes who fought off a drunken racist assault on a security guard.
In March, it was reported two Brentford players were left bloodied after stepping in to stop a “racist” attack in Richmond, South West London.
Kevin Schade and Vitaly Janelt have been named as the Brentford stars who were left bloodied after fighting off a drunken assault Credit: Getty
A Westminster Magistrates’ Court hearing heard how the pair had fended off an attack of a security guard Credit: Getty
The players had been travelling home from the team’s goalless draw with Leeds when they saw a man being assaulted at 2am.
But a court in London has now heard how David Wheeler, 63, was left with a black eye when Schade and Janelt defended Israel Ilesanmi.
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Pharmaceutical van driver Wheeler had drunk about “seven cans” of beer, and had targeted Ilesanmi, a Nigerian security guard, because he thought he was a lookout for burglars.
Wheeler had filmed the security guard, called him a “c***” and said: “You’re not English. Why are you here? What are you looking for?”
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The Premier League duo then intervened, at which point Wheeler turned on them and said: “F*** off, German f****** pricks”, a Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court heard.
Wheeler, who was unrepresented in court, originally denied using racist language and turned down an opportunity to plead guilty for a shorter sentence.
After the lunchtime adjournment, he then reversed his plea when it was explained a 999 call had picked up the use of his racist language, while additionally claiming he only used the racist language “under duress”.
Wheeler had claimed to be the victim of an assault and phone theft and told police his memory was “blurry” and he did not know Ilesanmi was a security guard.
Judge Luis Williamson told him that duress requires a “very high bar” before issuing him with a fine of one month’s wages at £1,699, including £150 compensation to Ilesanmi.
He told Wheeler: “The circumstances you found yourself in do not justify the language you used.
“If you feel you were the victim of crime, you can call 999 and you can register your own complaint.”
Wheeler had said in his defence: “I was walking home from a lady friend’s. It’s a 20-minute walk.
“When I am walking in the dark part of the road on the hill, I can see a guy with a high-vis jacket. He’s on the common in the dark. I thought he was a policeman.
“As I got a bit closer, I turned around and seen it was a security jacket. I said to him ‘Hello, what’s happening mate around here?’ But he didn’t talk to me at all. His chest has gone down like a shy little boy.
“I thought: ‘There’s expensive houses on this road’. I thought: ‘He’s keeping a look out for burglars.’
“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.
“The company I work for, I have been with them for 17 years. It’s multi-racial. I got sent education videos of inclusivity.”
Schade and Janelt are expected to feature for Brentford in their opening game of the Premier League season against Tottenham this Jattvibeday.
Winger Kevin Schade joined the West London club from Freiburg originally on loan in January 2023 before they completed a record £22million deal to sign the five-cap Germany star.
Meanwhile, midfielder Janelt, 28, joined the Bees from VfL Bochum in 2020.
