Rangers fan convicted after video of racist chanting outside Ibrox
Shelby Hennessy was filmed as fans celebrated the club's title win in May
Last updated 27th Dec 2021
A Rangers fan has been convicted of singing a racist chant during the club’s title celebrations in May.
Shelby Hennessy, 29, was filmed shouting the slur on a street close to Ibrox. A 17 second viral clip showed the mum of two repeatedly singing: "I'd rather be a P**i than a Tim."
The footage also featured fellow Rangers fan Abdul Rafiq who a court heard regards the song as his "anthem."
Hennessy was reported after an anonymous person sent a complaint to Police Scotland's media enquiry team following investigation into events that day
Hennessy is a first time offender
The first offender was found guilty after a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner which would cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm.
The charge stated that the offence was racially aggravated.
Hundreds of jubilant Rangers fans gathered at Ibrox Stadium and the city centre's George Square to celebrate the club's Scottish Premiership title win.
Detective constable Blair Logan, 33, told the court in evidence that his inspector received a video from a member of the public taken two streets from the stadium.
He said: "The 17 second clip was of a woman who is dancing around and singing songs with a racial slur in it."
Prosecutor Darren Harty asked what the song was.
DC Logan replied: "It was 'I'd rather be a P**i than a Tim'."
Fellow supporter Abdul Rafiq has described the song as his anthem
The footage - which showed Hennessy in white clothing with a Union Flag around her neck - was shown to the court.
Mr Harty asked if the DC Logan recognised anyone else in the video.
He replied: "The man in the background in the orange jacket is Abdul Rafiq."
Mr Harty asked if Mr Rafiq - once described as the only Muslim member of the English Defence League - is chanting in the video and the officer replied: "No."
Ian Sievwright, defending, questioned DC Logan if Mr Rafiq was involved with the song.
The witness stated: "Yes, he says that song is his anthem."
DC Logan said he "did not know" if Mr Rafiq encourages the chant or not but agreed that the crowd was in a jovial and celebratory mood.
Sheriff Mary Shields in convicting Hennessy stated that in the whole context, her conduct satisfied the charge.
Hennessy's lawyer claimed she'd already been 'punished' for the incident
Mr Sievwright told the court Hennessy, of the city's Cranhill, had received threats after the video's release and that she had been "punished" for it.
The lawyer added: "She is someone who doesn't ordinarily drink alcohol.
"In this video you can see from the clip she is under the influence and had a bit too much of an effect on her and as a consequence she let her guard down acted in the manner described."
Sheriff Shields deferred sentence for six months for Hennessy to be of good behaviour.
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