Six fans deny chant charges at Tynecastle

SIX men have appeared in court to deny charges related to alleged incidents at Hearts’ match with Celtic at Tynecastle in November.

Dylan Connell, 17, David Thomson, 17, Thomas Spence, 31, Colin Turnbull, 41, Robert Rudkin, 43, and Dale Chambers, 17, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.

Spence, of Earlston Place, pleaded not guilty to shouting religiously offensive remarks and Turnbull, of Armadale, West Lothian, denied shouting sectarian comments.

Rudkin, of Ormiston, Midlothian, also pleaded not guilty to a charge of shouting sectarian remarks. Chambers, of Ingliston, denied shouting religiously offensive remarks. He also denies giving police officers a false name.

Connell and Thomson, of Glasgow, pleaded not guilty to repeatedly shouting and chanting religiously offensive remarks and support for a terrorist organisation. Connell, Thomson, Chambers, Rudkin and Spence will all stand trial next month. Turnbull will appear at another procedural hearing on April 5.