A SUNDERLAND football fan has today been charged with racially abusing England striker Darren Bent's mother.

John Andrew Davison, 26, of Chester-le-Street, is accused of abusing Shirley Bent after her son's team played Wigan Athletic in November last year.

Today, the Crown Prosecution Service said it had advised police to charge the fan.

Mark Humphries, Wigan divisional crown prosecutor, said: "Having reviewed the file passed to me by Greater Manchester Police, I can confirm that I have authorised that John Andrew Davison, 26, from Chester-le-Street, be charged with an offence under the Racially Aggravated Section Five Public Order Act.

"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."

Davison will appear at Wigan Magistrates Court on February 2.