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A sectarian thug who verbally abused Celtic fans and bit a police officer before the Old Firm match on Sunday escaped a jail sentence today (Monday).

Andrew Reid, 27, from Kinning Park, plead guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to threatening and abusive behaviour involving religious prejudice and an assault on a police officer.

Reid was in the Rangers fans’ area before the derby at Celtic Park which Celtic won 2-1.

But around 10am, as he went to go into the ground, he shouted abuse at opposition fans.

When confronted by police, Reid co-operated at first before running away.

Defence lawyer Donna Maitland said: “There were Celtic fans in that area and the police were trying to separate them from Rangers fans.

“Mr Reid co-operated and handed over his driving licence but he then panicked and ran away from police officers.”

Police officers brought Reid down to the ground and he bit one of the officers on the arm.

Reid blamed a fall out with his girlfriend and current difficult life circumstances for the incident.

Miss Maitland said: “There were no excuses, but he is a young man with enough going on in his life.

“He was concerned he was going to be put into custody for a throwaway remark.

“It is a serious remark and he apologises for that.”

Sheriff Peter Grant-Hutchison fined Reid £500.