Misleading Stats from the Government
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:05 pm
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]The report released today by the Scottish Government regarding Religiously Aggravated Offending in Scotland 2010-11 make for interesting if not confusing reading.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]First of all almost 60% of the charges were committed by young people in the age group 16-30; and 60% of the cases took place in the Glasgow City area; and not surprisingly in [/COLOR:334c60e8][COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]67% of the cases alcohol or drugs was involved.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]The number of charges attributed to derogatory remarks against Roman Catholics made up 57.7% of the cases; while the same offence against Protestants made up 36.55 of the cases; which astonishingly are almost 95% of all cases; and considering Roman Catholics make up only 16% of the population; the number of attacks on them is worrying.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]When you look at the statistics around football and marches/parades; there are almost 8 times more offences at football matches than at marches/parades; and according to the report 52% of the offences took place at Celtic Park; and 27% at Ibrox.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]I have to ask the question; do these statistics point to a particular way of policing these incidents now? Apparently in the data destroyed by the Crown Office which covered the period up to 2010; the majority of sectarian offences were committed against Roman Catholics at Orange Parades; now they appear to show a lot more offences are happening at Celtic Park.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]Let me point out two recent cases. A sheriff declined to impose a custodial sentence on James Begbie a Hearts Supporter for singing Were up to our knees in F****n Blood the reason for the leniency by Sheriff Craig Mc Sherry; the offence was committed at East End Park Dunfermline; so there were no Celtic Fans present to be offended.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]In the case of a young 17 year old Celtic supporter; who I wont name here. He was accused of singing ooh ah up the Ra at the home match against Hibs on October 29th; he was not arrested at the match; by the Police crashed through his door early last Friday morning; he was held in custody before appearing before a Sheriff on Monday afternoon.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]After pleading Not Guilty the Sheriff was imposing Bail Conditions; one of which was he was to stay away from Celtic matches; this was agreed by the bhoys Lawyer; but the Prosecuting Fiscal opposed it; asking that the bhoy be remanded until DECEMBER 23rd.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]The bhoy was held in Polmont Young Offenders Institution until he was eventually released on Tuesday night; five days after being picked up.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]I ask you to make your own mind up about these two cases; and the statistics.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]First of all almost 60% of the charges were committed by young people in the age group 16-30; and 60% of the cases took place in the Glasgow City area; and not surprisingly in [/COLOR:334c60e8][COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]67% of the cases alcohol or drugs was involved.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]The number of charges attributed to derogatory remarks against Roman Catholics made up 57.7% of the cases; while the same offence against Protestants made up 36.55 of the cases; which astonishingly are almost 95% of all cases; and considering Roman Catholics make up only 16% of the population; the number of attacks on them is worrying.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]When you look at the statistics around football and marches/parades; there are almost 8 times more offences at football matches than at marches/parades; and according to the report 52% of the offences took place at Celtic Park; and 27% at Ibrox.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]I have to ask the question; do these statistics point to a particular way of policing these incidents now? Apparently in the data destroyed by the Crown Office which covered the period up to 2010; the majority of sectarian offences were committed against Roman Catholics at Orange Parades; now they appear to show a lot more offences are happening at Celtic Park.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]Let me point out two recent cases. A sheriff declined to impose a custodial sentence on James Begbie a Hearts Supporter for singing Were up to our knees in F****n Blood the reason for the leniency by Sheriff Craig Mc Sherry; the offence was committed at East End Park Dunfermline; so there were no Celtic Fans present to be offended.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]In the case of a young 17 year old Celtic supporter; who I wont name here. He was accused of singing ooh ah up the Ra at the home match against Hibs on October 29th; he was not arrested at the match; by the Police crashed through his door early last Friday morning; he was held in custody before appearing before a Sheriff on Monday afternoon.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]After pleading Not Guilty the Sheriff was imposing Bail Conditions; one of which was he was to stay away from Celtic matches; this was agreed by the bhoys Lawyer; but the Prosecuting Fiscal opposed it; asking that the bhoy be remanded until DECEMBER 23rd.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]The bhoy was held in Polmont Young Offenders Institution until he was eventually released on Tuesday night; five days after being picked up.[/COLOR:334c60e8]
[COLOR=#000000:334c60e8]I ask you to make your own mind up about these two cases; and the statistics.[/COLOR:334c60e8]