Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

16 December 2008

PF KILMARNOCK v WILLIAM WALLS

Today, at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, Sheriff Iona McDonald sentenced William Walls to two years probation and imposed a two year football banning order for a religiously and racially aggravated breach of the peace committed on 9 November 2008 at the Kilmarnock v Rangers football match. This offence involved the accused singing sectarian songs and shouting remarks of a religious and racial nature.

Speaking after sentence was passed, Kilmarnock District Procurator Fiscal, Les Brown (who prosecuted the case in court), said:

"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service takes all instances of racism and bigotry very seriously. We will prosecute in court all offences which are aggravated by racial or religious prejudice. In this case we worked closely with both police officers who were present at Rugby Park and senior officers to ensure that the full extent and impact of the accused's conduct was put before the court.

"The key witnesses in this case were stewards employed by Rangers Football Club who brought Mr Walls' conduct to the attention of the police. I would like to thank them for the fair and frank manner in which they gave their evidence. Along with the police, we will work with football clubs to seek football banning orders where appropriate to ensure that those who wish to enjoy going to the football can do so without them or their families being exposed to this kind of offensive and entirely unacceptable behaviour which can only provoke disorder and violence."

Assistant Chief Constable John Nielson, Criminal Justice and Territorial Policing for Strathclyde Police, said:

"Strathclyde Police works closely with football clubs to eradicate any racist and/or sectarian behaviour in football - it will not be tolerated. Where any singing, chanting or other behaviour is perceived as being racist or sectarian in nature, we will take postive action. Over recent years, Strathclyde Police has made a significant number of arrests for sectarianism and racist behaviour at football matches and will continue to do so."

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Notes to Editors

1. Football Banning Orders can be imposed, under the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006, by a court after conviction in relation to any offence for violence or disorder related to a football match where there are reasonable grounds to believe that imposing the order will help prevent violence or disorder at or in connection with any football matches.The standard conditions of a Football Banning Order (as imposed in this case) are:

2. The offender is prohibited from attending any regulated football match (includes all games involving SPL, SFL, FA, and national league of Wales teams etc. and any games involving the Scotland, England or Wales national teams);

• The offender must report at a police station in connection with certain regulated football matches;
• The offender must report to a police station within 5 days of the order being made;
• The offender must notify certain prescribed information to the football banning orders authority within 7 days of the occurrence of any events that are relevant to the order e.g. change of address; and
• The offender must surrender their passport when relevant overseas matches are to be played (can include club European matches and international away matches).