News organisations to appeal contempt fine

Three news organisations are expected to appeal against a Sheriff's decision to fine each of them £1,750 for contempt of court after they published pictures of a footballer who was on trial on charges of assault and breach of the pace.

Sheriff J Douglas Allan said publication of a photograph of Celtic player Derek Riordan had created a substantial risk of serious prejudice to the trial of the footballer and his cousin, Keith Burrell, who also faced the same charges following an incident at an Edinburgh pub in December last year.

Both men were subsequently acquitted.

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