Former Rangers player fined over 'foul-mouthed tirade of abuse'
A former Rangers player and his pilot brother launched a foul-mouthed tirade of abuse at police officers after being told they were too drunk to board a train.
A former Rangers player and his pilot brother launched a foul-mouthed tirade of abuse at police officers after being told they were too drunk to board a train.
Dunfermline striker Nicky Clark, 25, and 28-year-old Gary Clark, both from Livingston, spent a night in the cells after refusing to leave the railway station.
At Glasgow Sheriff Court Sheriff Kenneth Hogg fined them each £540 and told them: “This was an act of total stupidity, exacerbated by alcohol. You have both let down each other.”
Sheriff Hogg added: Nicky Clark, as a professional footballer, you are a role model. People who travel on trains don't want this type of behaviour.”
Both brothers admitted committing a breach of the peace by shouting and swearing and struggling with police officers at Queen Street railway station, Glasgow, on November 12, 2015.
The court was shown CCTV footage of the incident. Other passengers could be seen coming and going as the brothers shouted and swore and struggled with the police.
The brothers father Rangers and Hearts striker Sandy Clark was in court to support his sons.
The brothers had been out celebrating a promotion for Gary Clark, who is a pilot in the Royal Navy, and intended to get a train back to their parents' home in Livingston.
Depute fiscal Wendy Wilson said: “At 11.05pm police officers became aware of both accused walking past them and both appeared to be intoxicated.
“Nicky Clark said: “Youse look like a bunch of boring bastards.”
The court heard that the brothers were told to leave the station and headed towards the Dundas Street exit, but Nicky Clark, who has played for Rangers, Queen of the South, English side Bury and now Dunfermline, returned and shouted: “Youse f***ing sure you're okay.”
Both brothers were again warned they should leave the station and Nicky Clark was taken aside to be spoken to.
At this point Gary Clark began shouting: “I fing fought for this country. I fought for you bastards in Afghanistan. I'm not going anywhere without my fing brother.
Nicky Clark pushed the police officers in a bid to get to his brother and when told he would not be allowed on a train shouted: “You'll f***ing regret this.”
At this point both brothers were told they were under arrest and began to struggle with the officers and Nicky Clark told them: “You'll regret this, you've broken my £13,000 watch.”
Miss Wilson said: “The catch on the watch had come undone, but the watch was not broken.”
Solicitor Billy Lavelle, representing Nicky Clark, said: “They had had a great night out. The two brothers hadn't seen each other for some time, Gary Clark had been promoted and they were celebrating. They saw police officers standing in the station and Nicky Clark shouted out: 'Alright troops, how's it going.'
“It started out as an attempt at banter and quickly escalated into stupid behaviour. Gary Clark has never been in trouble before. He is a professional footballer with Dunfermline Athletic. This will have been a salutary experience.”
QC Gordon Jackson, representing Gary Clark, said: “This was a situation which quickly got out of hand. The brothers thought it was a bit of banter and the police were a bit heavy-handed. My client is a lieutenant in the Royal Navy and an advanced fast jet flying instructor.
“Most people get arrested because they won't take a telling. This is a blip in an exemplary career. This is out of character. Drink was involved.
“He has no recollection of some of the things attributed to him. He's never been in Afghanistan.”
The brothers were given 28 days to pay the fine.