A MAN who delivered the line "Accrington Stanley, who are they?" in a milk advert as a boy was today jailed for murder.
Kevin Spaine, 43, was caged for a minimum of 18 years for killing Learoy Vennerin, 53, in Liverpool in July last year.
Spaine starred in the iconic TV commercial for the Milk Marketing Board in 1989.
While he didn't appear on camera, his one line quickly became famous.
At Liverpool Crown Court, Spaine, of no fixed address, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 18 years.
The trial heard how police were called to a property on Belmont Drive on July 27, 2022, to reports of a man with head injuries.
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Learoy was rushed to hospital where he later died.
A post-mortem revealed he received “multiple forceful blows”, causing brain trauma akin to that "associated with a car crash or a fall from height".
In a statement read to the court, Learoy's siblings described him as having a "beautiful personality" and a "loving, gentle soul".
"We loved Learoy so much, we will forever hold him close and dearly to our hearts, minds and soul for the rest of our lives," they added.
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"Some of us have been too overwhelmed by the intensity of the process of the case and could not find the courage to attend the court hearing.
"Our lives are in ruins, however we are full of gratitude for the Prosecuting Team and the Family Liaison Team, who have fully supported us along the agony and has better positioned us to deal with the effects.
"As the case comes to a close we can only hope we might now be able to substance the burden of losing our brother."
Detective Chief Inspector Judith Blease said: "We understand that no sentence passed can ever undo the pain that Learoy’s death caused to his family and friends.
"But hopefully today’s conviction of Spaine does at least provide some sense of justice being done, and allows them to continue to try and come to terms with the devastating events of last July."
As a child, Spaine was a "promising young footballer" with a bright future, John Harrison KC said.
He told the court that the youngster, wearing a Liverpool FC kit, had featured in the well-known milk advert but "spiralled into a life of criminality shortly afterwards".
He racked up 100 offences and appeared in court about 40 times, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Spaine's previous convictions include dealing crack cocaine and heroin, as well was wounding and assault with intent to rob.
In the ad, young actor Carl Rice pours himself a glass of milk to which Spaine says: "Milk? Eurgh."
Rice then tells him: "It's what Ian Rush drinks.
"He said if I drink lots of milk, when I grow up I'm going to be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley."
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Spaine then comes back with his celebrated line: "Accrington Stanley, who are they?" and Rice replies: "Exactly."
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