Hearts fan is fined for racial remark against Celtic player

Care worker Kevin Bonar shouted an offensive remark at the Welsh international as he watched Hearts take on the Hoops at Parkhead last season.

Bonar's lawyer, Iain McSporran, argued his actions were not an offence and that Bonar should be cleared.

But Sheriff John Baird branded it "flagrant behaviour" and convicted him of a racially aggravated breach of the peace.

Bonar had been part of the travelling support at the match on April 2, which Hearts won 2-0.

Midway through the game, Celtic were awarded a corner and Wales international Bellamy - now with Blackburn Rovers - raced across to take it.

PC Duncan McLeod - who was patrolling near the visiting fans - told Glasgow Sheriff Court that he spotted Bonar, 29, out of his seat yelling. The officer said: "Myself and my colleague became aware of a man shouting in the direction of Craig Bellamy.

"He was shouting at him 'you wee, little Welsh bastard'. After he said this, we removed him, told him he was under arrest and he said he was sorry."

Sheriff Baird said: "This unquestionably justifies flagrant behaviour. There is no doubt being Welsh is part of a racial group.

"If you commit an offence and show malice to that group then that justifies that the breach of the peace was racially aggravated."

He convicted Bonar and fined him 250.

The court heard that the conviction could affect his job caring for the disabled. The sheriff told him: "You obviously found that it was perfectly fine to swear and insult a player. That was a deliberate act on your part."