Leader: An assault on our criminal justice system

t THE end of a football season marred by incidents of violence, assaults and sectarian chanting, the Scottish Government promised an early and forceful crackdown on behaviour that was tarnishing Scotland’s reputation worldwide. The clubs and the police were summoned by the First Minister. A mood of firm determination prevailed that any further incidents would be sternly dealt with.

What is the value of those earnest assurances now? In an astonishing verdict this week, a jury at Edinburgh Sheriff Court found the case against 26-year-old John Wilson for a sectarian assault on Celtic football manager Neil Lennon “not proven”. The attack took place in front of a crowd of some 15,000 spectators. It was captured on television and by newspaper photographers. Wilson allegedly used offensive sectarian language. He now awaits sentence on a lesser charge of breach of the peace.

The verdict has confounded the country and attracted widespread criticism. Many find it inexplicable. The Crown Office has come in for a particular drubbing. In its presentation of the case did it place too much emphasis on the sectarian element of the attack and not enough on the physical act itself, assuming it to be self-evident?

Yesterday Frank Mullholland, QC, defended the Crown’s decision to undertake the prosecution. Whatever went wrong, the case has delivered a blow to the credibility of the justice system and may leave the impression that similar incidents in future will not be dealt with with sufficient seriousness.