A Leytonstone-born footballer was yesterday found guilty of making homophobic gestures to a crowd in the first case of its kind to be brought before a court.

Colin Kazim-Richards, 27, was convicted of making the gesture towards Brighton and Hove Albion fans on February 12 last year.

The former pupil of Aveling Park School in Walthamstow, who now plays for Bursaspor in Turkey, was on loan from the club and playing for Blackburn Rovers at the time.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court yesterday Kazim-Richards was fined £750 and ordered to pay £695 in costs.

Kazim-Richards, who was an ambassador for the Kick It Out campaign against racism, claimed he was engaging in banter with the crowd, who were booing him and calling him names.

His barrister said he would appeal the conviction.