Hearts yob banned from Tynecastle

THE Hearts fan who invaded the pitch during an intense game against Celtic has been banned for life from Tynecastle Stadium.

John Wilson, 26, an unemployed former labourer, from Edinburgh, was yesterday cleared of assaulting Celtic manager and calling him a “fenian b*******”, following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

He was, however, convicted of conducting himself in a disorderly manner, running on to the pitch, running at the away team dug out, shouting, swearing, causing further disturbance to the crowd there and breaching the peace.

Today leading anti-sectarian charity Nil By Mouth voiced its concern that the verdict would legitimise sectarian hatred and violence in the eyes of the general public.

Mr Lennon’s agent Martin Reilly said he was “shocked and stunned” by the verdict. A Hearts spokesman said: “The individual concerned was banned for life within 24 hours of the incident and that decision remains in place.”