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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.