A FOOTBALL thug repeatedly punched a woman passenger on a train following a friendly fixture.

James Walker was asked by the conductor on the 10.22pm service from Queen Street to Falkirk to stop swearing and singing offensive songs.

Not only did he refuse, the 37-year-old then punched a woman several times - causing other passengers to intervene.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers met the service at Gartcosh and arrested him.

Walker, who had pled guilty to a charge under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 at an earlier hearing, was also sentenced to an 11-month Restriction of Liberty Order when he appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court on Tuesday, April 26.

He has also been banned from attending football matches for one year.

Walker had been to watch a friendly between Celtic and Stade Rennais on Saturday, July 25, 2015.

A BTP Spokesman said: "Walker won't see a football match for a whole year and the sentence imposed underlines how seriously the courts and British Transport Police regard football-related violence and anti-social behaviour."