Man jailed for 'sectarian attack' on dogwalker wearing Celtic top

At the December sitting of the town’s court, Sheriff Euan Cameron commended the actions of people who intervened when Alexander Goldfarb, 34, launched an unprovoked assault on a man wearing a Celtic FC shirt while out walking his dog.

Goldfarb, of Flat 2, 2 Quarry Brae Street, Glasgow, admitted shouting, swearing and uttering abusive remarks and threats of violence and also assault by repeatedly punching a man on his head and body and placing him in a headlock to his injury; the offences were aggravated by prejudice relating to religion in the case of a social or cultural group. The incident happened on May 16 this year.

For the first offence he was sentenced to 145 days and for the second to 218 days; the sentences will run concurrently.

"The court must send out a clear message that unprovoked religious violence will not be tolerated," said Sheriff Cameron.

The November sitting of the court heard that the man was walking on The Promanade, Hall Street.

"The accused was singing racist football songs and as he was singing he was pointing at the witness", said Raeesa Ahmed, procurator fiscal depute.

"The man attempted to ignore this; Goldfarb’s behaviour escalated and he shouted and swore at the witness."

The man told him to go away and then Goldfarb struck him to his left eye, pushed him and tried to put him in a headlock. A witness called the police and officers arrived.

The fiscal said officers found Goldfarb to be under the influence of alcohol, slurring his words and shouting at them.