Two yobs who uttered homophobic and sectarian abuse at police officers in Stirling city centre were each fined £640 last week.
Andrew McAllister and David Merry both pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner by uttering offensive remarks at Viewfield Place in November last year.
The charge to which 27-year-old McAllister had admitted was aggravated by prejudice relating to sexual orientation and religion.
Thirty-five-year-old Merry’s offence had been aggravated by religious prejudice.
Fiscal depute Ramsay Cunningham told Stirling Sheriff Court that police witnesses had been instructed to go to Viewfield Place at 9.55pm on Sunday November 7 following reports of a disturbance there. When they arrived they spoke with both accused and explained the reasons for their attendance.
Mr Cunningham added that McAllister shouted aggressively, outstretched his arms, and swore at the officers.
The officers asked them to leave the area, but McAllister continued to shout and swear in an aggressive manner.
Warned by the officers, he refused to stop and shouted: ‘Away you go you pair of gays’.
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When McAllister was told he was under arrest Merry said: ‘F****** take me as well’ before making comments and motions of a sexual nature. He was arrested and while inside a cell van swore at officers and made comments which included ‘Fenian gays’ and ‘away and tar the road’. As the abuse continued, Mr Cunningham said, Merry was warned about his behaviour and co-accused McAllister shouted; ‘Fenian f******’.
McAllister’s lawyer Alastair Ross told Sheriff Keith O’Mahony that his client deeply regretted the “completely unacceptable” behaviour.
He had been under the influence of alcohol at the time. Mr Ross said McAllister, of Coatbridge, is in the fourth year of an apprenticeship and he and his partner are saving up for accommodation together. He was unlikely to trouble the courts again, the lawyer added.
Merry, of Airdrie, representing himself, told Sheriff O’Mahony that he was ashamed and embarrassed, and described the matter as “a moment of madness” adding: “I’m certain it won’t happen again”.
Sheriff O’Mahony fined each of them £640 reduced from £900 due to their guilty pleas. McAllister’s fine was payable within three months and Merry’s within eight months.
