"A FOOTBALL fan has been convicted of racially abusing ex-Celtic player Craig Bellamy by calling him "a wee Welsh b*****d".
Kevin Bonar shouted the remark as he watched Hearts play Celtic at Parkhead last season. Bonar's lawyer argued his actions were not an offence and that the care worker should be cleared.
But Sheriff John Baird yesterday branded it "flagrant behaviour" and convicted him of a racially-aggravated breach of the peace...
Questioned by Bonar's lawyer, Iain McSporran, why he had been arrested, PC McLeod said he believed it had been "a racist comment".
Mr McSporran then asked what would have happened had a fan abused Bellamy's ex-team-mates John Hartson by calling him "a fat b*****d" or Neil Lennon "a ginger b*****d".
The PC said he would have told off the person involved - but would not have arrested him or her as that was not deemed an offence.
Bonar - who had denied the charge - was fined £250."
Seems a bit harsh. But those who attend Parkhead on match days are probably sensitive souls who are unused to swearing or to sectarian or racist epithets. But the good news: it is not an offence to call Mr Hartson a fat b*****d.
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