A Glasgow SNP councillor accused of making offensive and sectarian remarks has had the charge against him dropped.

Russell Robertson, 59, was accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at his Gartcosh home on September 2, last year.

But his partner, 29-year-old university student David Hara admitted shouting “the Pope was a paedo” during a neighbour dispute.

Hara pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday to shouting the remarks the were aggravated by religious prejudice, on the day the pair were to stand trial.

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Robertson denied the charge, which prosecutors accepted.

Sheriff Lindsay Wood branded Hara’s behaviour “atrocious” and said “that’s down to your drinking, you’ve hurt people, you’re offending people - do you get that?”

Procurator fiscal depute Gemma McKechnie said Hara was at the back door of the house drinking and talking to Mr Russell.

A female neighbour nearby heard Hara make the comments “you fat smelly cow” and “you fat smelly tramp” which she believed were about her.

Hara was heard making more comments about “hating the Queen” and that “the Pope was a paedo”.

He told another female neighbour who was nearby that her and her daughter were “sluts”.

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Both women took umbrage to the vile words and phoned the police.

Defence lawyer Jack Brown said a lot of drink had been taken that day and his client and Mr Robertson believed the neighbours disapproved of their relationship.

But said Hara, who has a previous conviction for drink driving, "regrets" what he did.

Mr Brown said the house they live in is now on the market with plans to leave the area.

Sheriff Wood deferred sentence on Hara for report and continued his bail.