Star famous for ‘Accrington Stanley, who are they?’ line in milk ad is jailed for murder

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.

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.

"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.