Two fined over sectarian abuse

Published on 17/03/2004 00:00

TWO football coaches behind a successful anti-bigotry drive at a boys’ club have been convicted of hurling sectarian abuse at a train guard.

Ian Sharp, 40, and Thomas Sinclair, 39, launched the attack on Jim Docherty after he asked them to leave Glasgow’s Queen Street Station.

The incident happened after the pair had started a campaign to promote religious tolerance amongst the young players of Broomhouse Boys’ Club based in the city’s Baillieston.

Sharp and Sinclair were each fined 300 yesterday after they admitted causing a breach of the peace in January. A disgusted parent of one of the club’s players said afterwards: "How can they try to instil good practices into the lads when they are nothing but bigots themselves?

"They will have lost the respect of a lot of people with this behaviour."

The pair had been out drinking in Glasgow city centre when they decided to get a train home around midnight.

Queen Street guard Mr Docherty spotted them approaching a platform and shouted across that they had missed the evening’s last train.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard this enraged Sharp and Sinclair, who vented their anger at the man. They branded him a "fenian b******" and threatened Mr Docherty with violence.

Lawyers for the accused yesterday said they had been "hugely embarrassed" by their actions.

The court heard they had managed Broomhouse Boys’ Club for around eight years. During that time, they formed an anti-bigotry campaign at the club.

This involved various measures including youngsters being asked not to wear Celtic or Rangers tops to training - a move to which the players had responded.