Not proven verdict won’t stop the fight against bigots

THE Lord Advocate has defended the failed prosecution of a football fan for sectarian violence against Celtic manager Neil Lennon – and promised no let-up on bigotry at matches.

Frank Mulholland QC, head of the Crown Office, spoke out as concerns were raised about the message the John Wilson case will send out to football hooligans.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said Lennon had been left “disheartened and confused” by the not proven verdict, which he described as an “extraordinary outcome”.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown said he had “every sympathy” with the Celtic manager.

Police superintendents have called for a strong message to be sent out that sectarian violence at football games will not be tolerated, while the Managers and Coaches Association of Scotland called for a “strong deterrent”.

Wilson, 26, was found guilty of breach of the peace at Tynecastle stadium, in Edinburgh, on 11 May, but the jury deleted the religious aggravation part of the charge, and found assault, which also had a hate-crime element, was not proven.

Lawyers, fans and Celtic Football Club have all expressed shock at the verdict but the Lord Advocate defended the prosecution and warned there would be no let-up in the drive against religious hate crime.

“The Crown takes all forms of hate crime very seriously,” he said. “Our decision to prosecute John Wilson for alleged sectarian remarks was the right one.

“We respect the decision of the jury but will continue to prosecute as a hate crime any offence where there is a sufficiency of evidence.”

He added: “If there is sufficient, credible and reliable evidence to show that the crime was motivated by particular hate, that aggravation will be libelled in the charge and will not be deleted as a result of plea negotiation – unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as a change in the evidential position.”