‘Accrington Stanley’ milk advert actor jailed for murdering ‘gentle soul’ in Liverpool

A former child actor who delivered the famous line in a milk advert in the 1980s has been jailed for murder.

Kevin Spaine, 43, delivered the iconic catchphrase: “Accrington Stanley? Who are they?” in a commercial by the Milk Marketing Board.

But Spaine was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 18 years behind bars on Wednesday after inflicting “multiple forceful blows” on Learoy Venner, 53, causing a brain injury.

Spaine fled the scene after the attack, which happened at around 3pm on 27 July last year at a property in Belmont Drive, Anfield.

Emergency services were later called and Mr Venner was rushed to hospital but medics could not save his life.

Spaine had admitted manslaughter but denied murder. However, he was convicted of murder on Tuesday following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

He received his sentence at the same court on Wednesday.

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John Harrison KC, defending Spaine, told the court he was once a “very promising young footballer” and had starred in the famous milk advert, the Liverpool Echo reports.

He was one of two boys seen in the 1989 clip but only appears briefly on camera.

His co-star, Carl Rice, pours a glass of milk before Spaine reacts saying: “Milk? Eurgh.”

Mr Rice replies: “It’s what [former Liverpool and Wales footballer] Ian Rush drinks.

“He said if I don’t drink lots of milk, when I grow up I’m only going to be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley.”

Spaine then proclaims: “Accrington Stanley? Who are they?”

Mr Rice – now a successful actor who has recently founded production company, Milk Pictures – then replies: “Exactly.”

‘Our lives are in ruins’

In a personal statement read to the court, Mr Venner’s family said learning of his death at Spaine’s hands had been “difficult to comprehend”.

“Learoy had a beautiful personality and such a loving, gentle soul,” the family said.

“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.”

The statement 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.”

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Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Judith Blease added: “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.”