Inverness Caley Thistle striker Gregory Tade racially abused on Twitter
A student has been ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service after admitting racially abusing an SPL footballer on Twitter.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker Gregory Tade, 25, had posted a message on the micro-blogging site wishing his followers a happy new year.
Mark Chalmers, 16, of Dunfermline, then sent the racial abuse and told Mr Tade that he should "give up life".
Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard that Chalmers later tried to apologise.
He pleaded guilty to sending the 25-year-old Frenchman a racially abusive message on 1 January.
The court heard that other people using Twitter had contacted the police and when officers approached the footballer he said he wished to make a complaint.
After being arrested Chalmers, told officers he had been physically sick when he realised what he had posted.
The court heard that the student had earlier drank 10 cans of beer at a party.
Suzannah Hutchison, prosecuting, said Mr Tade read Chalmers' abusive message on 2 January.
She said: "He was shocked by the message and considered it to be racially aggravated.
"A number of his followers sent him messages saying he should contact police."
Mr Tade told his followers that his resolution for 2012 was to ignore people like Chalmers.
The court heard that Chalmers later tweeted Mr Tade saying: "Sorry for what I called you earlier.
"I won't be the first or last but still it was shocking and again, I'm sorry."
Mr Tade replied: "Whatever mate. It's easy to say stuff like that and apologise for it later. I hope you've learnt a lesson."
Sheriff Fiona Tait ordered Chalmers to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
She told him: "This was a racial remark, which the court takes a very serious view of."