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 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Neil Lennon gives evidence in trial of John Wilson | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Neil Lennon has told a jury about the moment he was attacked during a game against Hearts at Tynecastle Stadium in Edinburgh in May. | |
The Celtic manager was giving evidence in the trial of 26-year-old John Wilson at the city's Sheriff Court. | |
He described feeling a glancing blow on his head and seeing the accused sprawled on the ground in front of him. | |
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. |
Earlier, 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' | '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 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. | 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 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. | 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." | 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. | 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. | 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. | He denies all the allegations against him. |
The trial before Sheriff Fiona Reith QC continues. | The trial before Sheriff Fiona Reith QC continues. |