Celtic fan fined cost of season ticket for adding referee to fan WhatsApp group

A Celtic fan caused a top Scottish referee to be bombarded with bigoted abuse after the official came in for criticism following an Old Firm clash.

Kevin Cushnahan added John Beaton to a Celtic supporters WhatsApp group he'd set up, after Beaton caused controversy with his handling of the Rangers v Celtic game at Ibrox in December.

Beaton, 36, was slated by fans and pundits for opting not to send Gers striker Alfredo Morelos off over three contentious clashes with other players.

And, during the fallout, Beaton's work mobile number was leaked online - prompting him to receive hate-filled messages from countless fans.

Cushnahan, 41, added him to a group chat he runs, called The Emerald Wine Crew, where he and other Celtic season ticket holders make arrangements for going to games.

They then bombarded Beaton with a barrage of abuse, before Cushnahan branded him "an Orange b**" and kicked him out the chat.

The details emerged when Cushnahan appeared in the dock at Greenock Sheriff Court for a pre-trial hearing.

Procurator Fiscal Depute Pamela Brady explained: "On December 29, 2018, the complainer, John Beaton, was a Grade One Referee at a Rangers v Celtic football match taking place at Ibrox Park in Glasgow.

"There was some controversy on some decisions and Mr Beaton was the subject of criticism."

She said Beaton had been criticised both online and in print by professionals and fans and that, on January 4, he began receiving texts and phone calls filled with abuse from numbers he didn't know - leading him to realise "his work mobile phone had been compromised."

Around 7.30pm on Friday, January 4 this year, Cushnahan added Mr Beaton to The Emerald Wine Crew WhatsApp group he ran.

Other users in the group began hounding Beaton, before Cushnahan posted: "Right, Beaton, you can f* off now ya Orange b****."

Mrs Brady, prosecuting, added: "He was subject to a barrage of sectarian hate comments by other users but this particular chapter of abuse was attributable to Kevin Cushnahan."

Beaton contacted police over the abuse and Cushnahan, a married dad-of-two, was arrested and charged, admitting his guilt to police.

And, when Cushnahan appeared in the dock he pleaded guilty to breaking Section 127(1)(a) of the Communications Act 2003, in an offence that was "aggravated by religious prejudice" - as per Section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003.

Defence solicitor Eddie Sweeney said Cushnahan had been drunk on the evening in question and had added Beaton to the chat after being asked to by another member, as he was the only one who could add or remove people, and thought it was "banter."

The lawyer said: "There were some lighthearted comments but some of it was beyond the pale.

"Mr Cushnahan was uncomfortable with the unsavory aspects of the participation and he decided to remove this individual from the group because he was concerned about the tenor.

"His last action before doing this was to post the comment your Lordship has heard about.

"He is suitably regretful and remorseful.

"This took 15 seconds to create but the legacy he will have to live with.

"He does not consider himself a bigot - he has friends on both sides of the divide."

Sheriff John Hamilton then blasted sectarianism in Scotland - and slammed Cushnahan for his conduct.

He said: "It is a cancer.

"It's a source of national disgrace that we have two clubs who have part of their supporters who seem to revel in perpetuating sectarian abuse.

"I have defended and prosecuted people who have been murdered in the West of Scotland due to actions following Old Firm games.

"You should be ashamed of yourself.

"It's pathetic."

He then asked Cushnahan, of Gourock, Inverclyde, how much a Celtic season ticket was and, when told it was £550, fined him that amount, adding: "That is a condign punishment."