ian1964 10,625 Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Old Firm involved in 8 out of 10 hate raps NEARLY 80 per cent of fans collared under new anti-bigotry laws were nabbed at games involving the Old Firm. Stats last night revealed 212 of the 268 charges came when Rangers or Celtic played. The figures showed 85 Light Blues and 68 Hoops supporters have been charged in the past 12 months â?? over half of all raps under the controversial legislation. Tory MSP John Lamont Claims ... Tory MSP John Lamont The bill was brought in a year ago following an outcry over the countryâ??s sectarian shame. But the measures have been blasted as unnecessary â?? with Tory MSP John Lamont claiming: â??Itâ??s done more harm than good.â? There have been 178 incidents, involving 259 accused and adding up to 268 charges â?? with two thirds ending in a conviction. Many of the charges â?? 113 out of 268 â?? were in Glasgow, with another 23 in South Lanarkshire and 24 in Edinburgh. Hibs fans accounted for 10 per cent of charges, with city rivals Hearts at five per cent and Falkirk at six per cent. The figures show prosecutions under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Scotland Act have been matched by a DROP in the number of breach of the peace cases. But critics last night insisted existing laws were tough enough. Mr Lamont added: â??While 250 people have been charged under the new sectarian law, this has resulted in an almost identical fall in comparable breach of the peace charges. â??Since only a small number have been convicted under the section dealing with threatening communications, it raises major questions of why this legislation was ever passed.â? The Act has caused controversy in the courts with Dundee Sheriff Ian Davidson calling the legislation â??minceâ??. But Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham said last night: â??The statistics show that strong action is being taken to tackle the actions of the small minority of fans who indulge in offensive behaviour at football.â? Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/scottishnews/4969746/Bigots-match-shame-as-Old-Firm-involved-in-8-out-of-10-hate-raps.html#ixzz2WGNnpn9P 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,564 Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Neat, one wonders who of those people being charged were actually sentenced or found guilty though. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the gunslinger 3,366 Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 we have more fans at games then them so seems about right. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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