http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/
Dec 7 2009 By Janice Burns
A BINMAN was battered with a shovel by sectarian workmates after they found out he was a Rangers fan.
The man, who is in his early 20s, endured months of sectarian abuse at the hands of Celtic supporting colleagues before he was attacked at a rubbish tip.
North Lanarkshire Council have launched a probe after the young dad reported the assault to police.
The dad-of-one, from Airdrie, suffered broken ribs in the attack.
Last night, Strathclyde Police confirmed they were investigating the assault.
Sources told the Record that a gang of Republican sympathisers working at the council refuse collection depot in Lanarkshire preyed on the young man.
An insider said: "This cannot be allowed to happen in this day and age when sectarianism is condemned.
"The poor lad had no idea how bad it was when he joined the council.
"He used to eat his lunch with them but couldn't stand the anti-Protestant and Rangers rants so he started eating in his car.
"Then they found out he was a Rangers fan and that was the start of the victimisation and bullying.
"He would go to work every day and get abused. He was told that if he reported it he would be out of a job."
The young man was assaulted in a revenge attack after a Rangers victory.
His colleagues drove him to a secluded spot on a rubbish tip and attacked him with a shovel, breaking his ribs.
The insider said: "He didn't want to tell the police at first but his family convinced him to do the right thing and report it because they wanted to put a stop to it."
The victim has now been moved to another depot for his own safety.
North Lanarkshire Council confirmed an investigation was under way.
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