A fireman who threatened a referee in the aftermath of an Old Firm game has been fined £750.
Paul McKee, 32, labelled the official a “dirty cheating b*****d” and a “cheating low life c**t” during a 40-minute tirade on social media.
Beaton, 37, called police after being subjected to abuse when his mobile phone number was leaked online. It followed a controversial Glasgow derby at Ibrox which saw Rangers edge out Celtic 1-0.
Beaton was heavily criticised for his performance in the match.
Shamed dad-of-two McKee, of Port Glasgow, in Renfrewshire, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted sending messages containing grossly offensive, menacing and sectarian remarks in January.
The Celtic fan was fined by Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen, who blasted his actions.
Depute fiscal Lynn McFauld told the court McKee had added Beaton to a chat group and wrote abusive messages, including one that said: “I have got his house number as well, been trying that for the last 30 minutes but no f*****g answer.” He also wrote Beaton “deserves all he gets for helping his mates in the lodges out”.
Sheriff MacFadyen said: “When Mr Beaton signed up to be a football referee, he did not sign up to be a recipient of this nasty form of abuse from you or anyone else.”
