Man Convicted of Internet Sectarianism
CROWN OFFICE AND PROCURATOR FISCAL SERVICE
NEWS RELEASE
2 FEBRUARY 2012
MAN CONVICTED OF INTERNET SECTARIANISM
HMA v DAVID CRAIG
At Glasgow Sheriff Court today, David Craig (DOB 26/09/1987) pled guilty to posting sectarian messages on a social networking site.
The court heard that between 2 March and 14 March 2011 Craig, from Paisley, posted a number of messages on Facebook of an offensive, threatening, abusive and sectarian nature. He had also uploaded an image of Celtic manager Neil Lennon which had been altered to simulate him having been shot a number of times.
Speaking following today’s hearing Barry Dickson, Football Liaison Prosecutor for the West of Scotland, said:
The vast majority of football supporters in Scotland are dedicated and enthusiastic and find behaviour such as this abhorrent and totally unacceptable.
We are absolutely committed to the investigation and prosecution of those either being involved in or promoting sectarianism, religious offences and related disorder and violence.
Such activity committed by persons who claim to be fans of the game blights the good name of Scottish football and will not be tolerated.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. Sentence was deferred until 1 March 2012 at which time the court also has the option to impose a Football Banning Order.
2. Football Liaison Prosecutors (FLPs) in each area work to ensure that there is a consistent and robust response to relevant cases. The FLPs share their expertise with police and enhance their level of knowledge and ensure that a strong case can be put to the court to grant an FBO.
3. The FLPs work closely with , the police and other key partners in relation to:
i. Raising awareness and championing the use of Football Banning Orders with Procurators Fiscal.
ii. Working with the police and to identify best practice and to further improve quality in relation to the prosecution of these cases.
iii. Contributing to the training of and the development of guidance.
iv. Engaging with a range of key stakeholders
v. Monitoring the successful use of FBOs in their area.
4. A Football Banning Order may be imposed by a court upon sentence to an offence which is football related. Before imposing such an order the court must be satisfied:
• That the person was aged 16 or over at the time of the offence,
• That the offence involved violence or disorder
• That the offence related to a football match and
• That there are reasonable grounds to believe that making the order will help prevent violence or disorder at or in connection with any football matches.
5. The mandatory requirements of an order are as follows:
• The offender is prohibited from attending any regulated football match;
• The offender must report at a police station in connection with certain regulated football matches;
• The offender must report to a police station within 5 days of the order being made;
• The offender must notify certain prescribed information to the football banning orders authority within 7 days of the occurrence of any events that are relevant to the order e.g. change of address; and
• The offender must surrender their passport when relevant overseas matches are to be played. This requirement can be waived in exceptional circumstances, for example, where the person’s employment requires them to travel frequently.
6. A regulated football match includes:
• Football matches anywhere in the UK where one or both of the participating teams represents:
i. a country or territory,
ii. a club which is, for the time being, a member of the Scottish Premier League or the Scottish Football League, or
iii. a club which is, for the time being, a member (whether a full or associate member) of the Football League, the Football Association Premier League, the Football Conference or the League of Wales.
• Football matches outside the UK involving:
i. a national team appointed to represent Scotland, England or Wales by, respectively, the Scottish Football Association, the Football Association or the Football Association of Wales, or
ii. a team representing a club which is, for the time being, a member of the Scottish Premier League or the Scottish Football League or a full or associate member of the Football League, the Football Association Premier League, the Football Conference or the League of Wales.
• Any other match anywhere in the world as may be prescribed by order made by the Scottish Ministers.
7. The evaluation of Football Banning Orders was published by the Scottish Government on 29 June 2011. The evaluation supports the need for close liaison between the Procurator Fiscal and the police and recognises the work of the Glasgow FLD pilot. A summary of the key findings can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/07/19112831/0
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