Yobs hurled homophobic and sectarian abuse at police in Scots city centre

dailyrecord.co.uk:

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’.Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.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