A COMPANY director who became embroiled in a sectarian brawl in a Perthshire hotel was yesterday fined £550 at Perth Sheriff Court.

Robert Wilson (41), Glenorchil Crescent, Auchterarder, punched an off-duty policeman in the Glendevon Hotel, Auchterarder, which resulted in the man being hospitalised.

The company director, who earns £120,000 a year, admitted that on May 26 he assaulted the policeman by punching him on the head and body to his injury.

Wilson also admitted committing a breach of the peace by conducting himself in a disorderly manner, swearing and making derogatory remarks to the policeman.

Depute fiscal Lucy Keane told the court that the policeman and a colleague were drinking at the hotel when they became aware of Wilson singing sectarian songs.

“The policeman who was assaulted was staying at the police’s Northern Convalescent Home in Auchterarder,” Ms Keane said.

“It was coming to closing time, just after midnight. At that time the accused and a friend started singing Glasgow Celtic songs.”

“The English policeman told Wilson he was a Glasgow Rangers fan and asked him to calm down. Remarks were then passed between them about their respective teams.

“The policeman said Celtic would have a hard time the next day playing Dunfermline.

“This upset the accused and he started to swear at the complainer—the whole thing then got out of hand.”

The court heard that Wilson then punched the policeman and that a “brawl” ensued.

“They both fell on to the ground and chairs and tables were sent flying,” Ms Keane added.

“The rest of the people in the bar had to get involved to stop the fight.”

The policeman was taken to hospital with facial swelling, but was later released without needing any treatment.

Wilson’s solicitor, Lindsay Tolland, said, “My client regrets that he got himself involved in this and regrets the injury he caused.

“He has not been in trouble before and has no previous convictions.

“This type of behaviour is not commonplace for him.”

Sentencing Wilson, Sheriff Celia Sanderson told him, “You are old enough to know better but I take into account your previous good character.”

Wilson had also originally been charged with breaching the peace, aggravated by religious prejudice, by singing sectarian songs and racially aggravated breach of the peace. But those charges were dropped by the Crown.