A DALRY football fan has been banned from attending matches for six months and fined £200 for offensive chanting.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday John Fordham, 21, and Jordan Robertson, 60, from Bishopbriggs, were both handed a six month Football Banning Order for offensive singing at a match in Berwick on February 23 this year.

Robertson was fined £400.

The court heard that during the televised Third Division fixture between Berwick Rangers and Rangers, at Shielfield Park in Berwick, uniformed police on duty in the stand became aware that a number of fans were singing songs containing offensive sectarian lyrics.

As a result of post match investigations, in the following weeks police identified and arrested both accused as they attended other matches at Ibrox.

Although the offences occurred in England, the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 legislation allowed for the two individuals to be prosecuted in Scotland as they were habitual residents in Scotland.

Speaking following sentencing of the pair, Stephen Ferguson, Football Liaison Prosecutor for the West of Scotland, said: “This case demonstrates the versatility and effectiveness of the legislation which allows us prosecute individuals resident in Scotland despite the offences being committed elsewhere.

“It also shows that police and prosecutors are resolute in their efforts to identify perpetrators of such unacceptable offences, even weeks afterwards, and ensure they are brought to justice.” John Ryan Fordham was found guilty of a contravention of Section 1(1) Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.

Jordan Robertson from Bishopbriggs was found guilty of the same charge.

The duo were brought to court with the help of the Football Liaison Prosecutors (FLPs) team, who work closely with the police and other key partners in relation to: raising awareness and championing the use of Football Banning Orders with Procurators Fiscal, They also work with the police to identify best practice and to improve quality in relation to the prosecution of these cases, contribue to training on these matters and monito the successful use of FBOs in their area.