A RACIST lout branded former Scotland international cricketer Majid Haq a 'cheating P**i' - then told him to his face it was a statement of 'fact', Greenock Sheriff Court has heard.

Ronald McGregor was the scorer at a match being umpired by Mr Haq when he shouted out the disgusting slur in response to a decision against Greenock.

McGregor, 64, pleaded guilty to racially abusing 40-year-old Mr Haq during a match at Glenpark last month.

The court heard that when the ex-player approached him during a break in play about what he'd said, McGregor told him that the vile insult was a 'factual term'.

The incident on August 12 made UK headlines and drew widespread condemnation.

Greenock Cricket Club apologised to Mr Haq and banned McGregor from their Brisbane Street ground, while the sport's national body, Cricket Scotland, branded it 'a scar on cricket'.

Procurator fiscal depute Karen Yuill told the court: "On Saturday, August 12 [Mr Haq] was in attendance at Greenock Cricket Club to carry out his duties as an umpire for the game between Greenock and Loc Hire from Stenhousemuir.

"The witnesses were sat on the club terrace watching the game.

"During the course of the game the complainer gave a decision in favour of [visiting side] Stenhousemuir.

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"At this time, the accused, who was scorer for Greenock, shouted from the terrace 'Ya cheating P**i'.

"This was heard by the witnesses.

"The accused was challenged on his behaviour making it clear that his conduct was completely unacceptable."

Haq was said to have been 'unaware of the comment' initially.

The fiscal depute added: "It was not until a break of play in the game due to rainfall at which time the complainer, on making his way back to the clubhouse, was alerted to the comment made by the accused.

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"The complainer, now aware of the comment, spoke with the accused asking him if he had indeed made the comment and what had been said.

"The accused stated to him 'I used a factual term'."

McGregor, of West Blackhall Street, left the ground and the game continued until another break in play when Haq contacted police and reported the incident.

McGregor, represented in court by solicitor Aidan Gallagher, was charged by officers at his home later that night.

Having accepted a charge of 'acting in a racially aggravated manner which caused or was intended to cause alarm or distress' to Haq, Sheriff Neil Kinnear deferred sentence on McGregor until next month for the preparation of background reports.

Mr Gallagher has reserved his plea in mitigation on behalf of his client until then.