Frankie 8,687 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 http://news.stv.tv/west-central/1327348-online-threat-to-former-rangers-chairman-sandy-easdale-case-dropped/ Allegations a Rangers fan posted a menacing message online about Sandy Easdale were dropped after it emerged the post never mentioned the former club chairman. Stewart McNeill had been accused of breaching the Telecommunications Act by putting a message on the Rangers' fans' alternative website Sons of Struth that was "grossly offensive or of menacing character". The 37-year-old, from Stirlingshire, had been charged that on January 19 he "attempted to incite persons reading the message" to harm Mr Easdale, owner of Greenock-based McGill's Buses, his family, or his property. At Stirling Sheriff Court on Tuesday the case was treated as officially "not called", meaning the Crown has dropped it. It emerged the message complained of, posted at a time of controversy over Mr Easdale's role on the Rangers FC board, had simply read: "There needs to be direct action taken against these individuals, at their homes and places of business". The post came at a time when fans were calling for peaceful protests outside the HQ of McGill's Buses, owned by Sandy and his brother James. A source said: "It was extraordinary to have charged Mr McNeill, who was simply contributing to a public debate, was in no way offensive, certainly never named Sandy Easdale or anyone else, and never suggested he or his family or his property anyone else should be 'harmed'. "It sounds like another example of coppers patrolling the Internet looking for people speaking out of turn, instead of policing the streets." Mr McNeill, of Dunkeld Court in Balfron, was not at court, but a source said he felt "relieved and vindicated". 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,687 Posted August 25, 2015 Author Share Posted August 25, 2015 Hardly a huge surprise another high profile case fails. Clearly people should take responsibility for what they post on forums and social media but all this crap really is a waste of everyone's time and money. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
forlanssister 3,114 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 It is deeply disturbing that Mr McNeil was even charged in the first place, the how's and why's of how he came to face court needs to be independently investigated. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trublusince1982 243 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Hope he is compensated for the stress he has been put through 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chibmark 19 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Hope he is compensated for the stress he has been put through By Mr Easedale AND the State. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 More time and money wasted by a couple of big babies who appear to take pleasure in the art of intimidation. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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