Man cleared of racially abusing Rangers captain
49 year-old Robert Brooks Glasgow, was accused of shouting a slur at the defender at Ibrox during the club’s 1-0 defeat against Kilmarnock in March last year.
A man has been cleared of racially abusing Rangers captain James Tavernier in front of the player's son.
49 year-old Robert Brooks Glasgow, was accused of shouting a slur at the defender at Ibrox during the club’s 1-0 defeat against Kilmarnock in March last year.
Brooks was charged with breach of the peace by using threatening and abusive language which would cause a reasonable person fear and alarm at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Brooks was not identified by Rangers’ Player Liaison Officer, Katy Lamont, 38, as the culprit captured on CCTV.
She told the court: “There was a group of supporters in front of where the players families were sitting who were being foul and abusive.
“James Tavernier’s son was there and was going back to the creche at the players lounge.
“At that time a stocky male came out with abuse and I recall him saying ‘you f*g black c*** and I believe that was directed at our captain on the day.”
CCTV was shown to Miss Lamont, but she believed Brooks was not the man shown on the footage.
After Miss Lamont's evidence, prosecutors halted the trial by withdrawing the allegation against Brooks.
Brooks was then acquitted by Sheriff Ian Fleming.