This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-14708447
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
John Wilson on trial over attack on Neil Lennon | John Wilson on trial over attack on Neil Lennon |
(40 minutes later) | |
A 26-year-old man has gone on trial accused of attacking the Celtic manager Neil Lennon during a game against Hearts in Edinburgh in May. | A 26-year-old man has gone on trial accused of attacking the Celtic manager Neil Lennon during a game against Hearts in Edinburgh in May. |
John Wilson denies charges of assault and breach of the peace, both of which are aggravated by religious prejudice. | John Wilson denies charges of assault and breach of the peace, both of which are aggravated by religious prejudice. |
He is alleged to have attacked Mr Lennon by the side of the pitch during the match at Tynecastle stadium. | He is alleged to have attacked Mr Lennon by the side of the pitch during the match at Tynecastle stadium. |
A jury has started hearing evidence at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and the case is expected to last until Wednesday. | A jury has started hearing evidence at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and the case is expected to last until Wednesday. |
The court heard from former police officer, James Church, 54, who is assistant to the head of safety, security and operations at Celtic Football Club. | |
'Worse atmosphere' | |
He told the court that there was "not a lot of love lost between the two sides" during the game on 11 May. | |
He said the supporters were quite aggressive and unpleasant things were being shouted. | |
Mr Church said: "This particular evening I felt the atmosphere was worse. During the first half I made two telephone calls to my colleague in the control room to ask for more stewards or security officers to come to the area because I felt there wasn't enough stewards there if it had kicked off." | |
Mr Church told how Celtic scored two goals, one in the first half and one in the second half, and that the atmosphere had deteriorated. | |
He said: "The atmosphere was poisonous and I was getting quite concerned because we had scored a second goal and the crowd were angry." | |
Mr Church described how he had been behind the dug out and behind Mr Lennon and other members of the management team including Alan Thompson. | |
Wilson is accused assaulting Mr Lennon and of breaching the peace by conducting himself in a disorderly manner, running onto the field during the match, running at the away team dug out, shouting, swearing, making a sectarian remark, all to the alarm and annoyance of others and causing further disturbance within the crowd there. | |
He denies all the allegations against him. | |
The trial before Sheriff Fiona Reith QC continues. |