Warrant issued for arrest of Motherwell CEO Alan Burrows over Morelos case

[ian1964 10,724]

AN ARREST warrant has been issued for Motherwell FC chief executive Alan Burrows after he refused to attend court to give evidence due to work commitments.

Burrows, 37, is a key witness in a case where a man denies lobbing a hot drink towards Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos at Fir Park.

His absence caused the trial of Sean Baillie, 30, to be postponed to later in the year.

Baillie is charged with culpable and reckless conduct at a Motherwell and Rangers clash on December 15, last year.

The alleged incident is said to have taken place moments after Morelos, 24, scored in the match which was beamed live on Sky Sports.

Baillie, of Maryhill, Glasgow, is alleged to have thrown a cup containing hot liquid onto the field of play to the danger of football players at Fir Park Stadium.

He pled not guilty at Hamilton Sheriff Court but prosecutors were forced to ask for a delay after Burrows failed to appear.

Depute fiscal Jennifer McCabe said: "A member of our team has spoken to Mr Burrows and he said he would not be able to attend due to work commitments.

"The police were trying to get him this morning on another matter relating to this case but, for whatever reason, couldn't get him."

Miss McCabe was then told by a court police officer that colleagues had contacted Burrows but he would not attend the court to give evidence in the trial.

She added: "I've just been updated that Mr Burrows is actively refusing to attend court today and I would seek a warrant in respect of him."

Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen then issued a warrant for his arrest.

He added: "Through no fault of the Crown I'm going to have to postpone this case because of the absence of Mr Burrows. Mr Baillie your bail will be continued and I will grant a warrant for the arrest of this witness."

Baillie had his bail continued and a new date was set for November. Rangers eventually won the match 2-0 after Morelos had doubled his side's lead following a goal from defender Nikola Katic.

The Colombian striker was sent off in the aftermath of his goal celebration for gesturing towards home supporters.

Earlier this month Burrows announced that he was standing down from the SPFL board to focus on running Motherwell. He has been the chief executive at Fir Park since 2014 after replacing Leeann Dempster.

 

Edited July 28, 2020 by ian1964

[Gonzo79 15,294]

No doubt the fat git couldn't care less about miscreants throwing objects at Morelos.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Doing his best to pervert the course of justice by the look of it. 

[ranger_syntax 4,329]

The Morelos case?!

 

Surely the "Sean Baillie" case!

[Uilleam 5,948]

Sounds like ducking and diving to help a mate.

 

Send him down for Contempt: 7 days at The Queen's Hotel, Riddrie will tober him up.

[Malangsob 1,264]

3 hours ago, ranger_syntax said:

The Morelos case?!

 

Surely the "Sean Baillie" case!

Good eye sir...good eye. They are slick, aren't they?

[CammyF 8,116]

"Motherwell" fan Sean from Maryhill is apparently a friend of Mr Burrows and a founding member of Lads and Lassies against Racism. 

[Bluedell 5,627]

Just the kind of guy you want as your club CEO. 

[Scott7 6,011]

After the buffoon has given evidence, the learned Sheriff will maybe detain him in the Court cells until the end of the trial, then tell him he’s just avoided contempt of court by the skin of his teeth and let him go. Thirty days in the cooler in bygone days. Minimum.

[gisabeer 409]

Surprised they haven't lost the evidence.