Hibs fan Bradley Welsh cleared over offensive flyers

Bradley Welsh was collared by police for attempting to place stickers on lampposts in memory of his late father-in-law while in among a large group Hearts fans outside Tynecastle Stadium last year.

Welsh – who runs the Holyrood Boxing Gym – was said to have caused “a flashpoint” with angry Jambos who objected to the memorial stickers which featured the Hibs badge and a man holding an M16 assault rifle. Officers moved in to arrest the Hibs fan in a bid to “prevent any disorder” between the supporters just ten minutes before the Championship match on January 3 last year.

Welsh was distributing the cards and flyers in honour of his late father-in-law Stuart ‘Tich’ Grant who passed away nine years ago and his family have honoured him in a similar way every year since.

The flyers, posters and stickers featured images of Mr Grant holding a fake M16 assault rifle and a Hibs badge in the corner with the logo ‘Gone But Never Forgotten’.

Welsh, 45, was acquitted of causing public disorder following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday.

Outside the court, Welsh said: “I am really happy justice has been done today but I am really annoyed this case came to court in the first place.

“This has been hanging over me for close to two years and for anyone to say that they find the memorial posters offensive is beyond me.

“I have been inundated with messages from Hearts fans who were there that day and who found nothing offensive.”