Bigot Aaron Laing admits directing sectarian abuse at ex-Rangers goalkeeper Goram

[ian1964 10,415]

A man who filmed himself verbally abusing ex-Rangers goalkeeper Andy Goram has been fined £600.

 

At Peterhead Sheriff Court on Wednesday Aaron Laing admitted repeatedly shouting, swearing and directing comments of an abusive and sectarian nature towards the former Scotland international.

 

The court heard that on the evening of Saturday, January 19, Mr Goram was in a Ladbrokes in Peterhead, when Laing, who had been alerted to his presence as he sat in a nearby pub, entered the premises.

 

While others in the shop were good natured and friendly towards him, Laing immediately started to shout and swear and abuse Mr Goram, while recording it on his mobile phone.

 

This continued for a few minutes before Laing left the premises continuing the abuse as he walked out.

 

The footage he had taken was soon after uploaded to Youtube.

 

Vicki Bell, football liaison prosecutor for the north of Scotland, said: â??There is no place in a modern Scotland for behaviour motivated by prejudice, discrimination or bigotry of any kind.

 

â??It is the right of everyone to go about their business without fear of humiliation, harassment or abuse.

 

â??The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will continue to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to such offences and bring those who perpetrate such crimes to justice.â?

 

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http://m.stv.tv/news/north/221776-man-admits-directing-sectarian-abuse-at-former-ranger-andy-goram/

[ian1964 10,415]

17 April 2013

 

Man who filmed himself verbally abusing ex footballer sentenced

 

 

 

At Peterhead Sheriff Court today, Aaron Laing was fined £600 after admitting he repeatedly shouted, swore and directed comments of an abusive and sectarian nature towards Andrew Goram.

 

 

 

The court heard that on the evening of Saturday 19 January 2013, Mr Goram was in a Ladbrokes in Peterhead, when Laing, who had been alerted to this as he sat in a nearby pub, entered the premises.

 

 

 

Whilst others in the premises were good natured and friendly towards him Laing immediately started to shout and swear and abuse Mr Goram, while recording it on his mobile phone.

 

 

 

This continued for a few minutes before Laing left the premises continuing the abuse as he walked out. The footage he had taken was soon after uploaded to Youtube.

 

 

 

Speaking following sentencing Vicki Lee Bell, Football Liaison Prosecutor for the North of Scotland, said:

 

 

 

“There is no place in a modern Scotland for behaviour motivated by prejudice, discrimination or bigotry of any kind.

 

 

 

“It is the right of everyone to go about their business without fear of humiliation, harassment or abuse.

 

“The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will continue to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to such offences and bring those who perpetrate such crimes to justice.”

 

 

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

 

 

 

1. Aaron Laing (DOB 29/08/1987) from Dundee, pled guilty to Threatening and abusive behaviour in contravention of S38(1) Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.

 

 

 

Football Liaison Prosecutors (FLPs) in each area work to ensure that there is a consistent and robust response to relevant cases. The FLPs share their expertise with police and enhance their level of knowledge

 

http://www.copfs.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/04/Man-who-filmed-himself-verbally-abusing-ex-footballer-sentenced

[ian1964 10,415]

A Celtic fan who waved an Irish flag with IRA written on it at an Old Firm match has been fined £500 and banned from attending games for three years.

 

Aaron Laing was captured on CCTV with the tricolour during the match at Ibrox in May.

 

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, the 21-year-old, from Peterhead, admitted breaching the peace.

The court also heard that since the offence, Celtic had imposed a lifetime ban on the former season ticket holder.

 

The court heard that Laing had been dating the niece of then Celtic manager Gordon Strachan when he committed the offence.

 

Prosecutor Anthony Quigley told the court that officers became aware of the flag half way through the game.

 

He has been branded a thug, a yob and a bigot but he could far more accurately be described as drunken and foolish

Neil McCulloch

Defence lawyer

 

The procurator fiscal depute said police acted quickly after "the Rangers fans were becoming very angry".

 

He said: "When they got to the area where Mr Laing was sitting, most supporters became co-operative, apart from one or two, and they managed to retrieve the flag.

 

"Other than that, the match passed without incident."

 

When officers received phone calls identifying Laing, they were able to track him down as a Celtic season ticket holder and find his home address.

 

Defence lawyer Neil McCulloch told the court that his client had been drinking heavily that day and maintains that he found the flag in the ground.

 

'Significant embarrassment'

 

"He's extremely ashamed of his behaviour and has also embarrassed his family and the club and supporters," he said.

 

"His girlfriend at the time has a relative who at that time had a significant connection to the club and his actions also caused significant embarrassment to her and her family.

 

"He has been branded a thug, a yob and a bigot but he could far more accurately be described as drunken and foolish."

 

Sheriff Alexander Johnston issued Laing with a football banning order stopping him from attending registered matches in the UK for three years.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8261054.stm

 

Life time ban you say?.

[Juancornetto 1]

Massive effort to report this without saying anything about being a Celtic fan today....pravda in full deflect,deny,sweep mode.

[Bluedell 5,329]

"His girlfriend at the time has a relative who at that time had a significant connection to the club and his actions also caused significant embarrassment to her and her family.

 

Was it Lawwell's daughter he was going out with?

 

Edit - no, it was Strachan's neice.

[26th of foot 5,833]

Aaron Laing's extended family are members of an Easterhouse based CSC entitled, 'the Rocket Launchers CSC'.

 

They are allowed hold their annual POTY dance/dinner at the Walfrid Suite, with their banner tacked to the wall behind their top table.

 

Aaron is a product of his conditioning.