A TEENAGER who sent an abusive sectarian message on Twitter saying he hoped former Celtic footballer Stiliyan Petrov died has avoided jail.

Cameron Paterson, 17, posted the obscene message mocking the ex-Aston Villa and Bulgarian player shortly before he retired as a player after suffering cancer.

Paterson, of Dalmuir, West Dunbartonshire, admitted at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court that he sent an offensive and sectarian message last April. He was fined £360.

The message included the words: "Petrov a hope you die" and used a derogatory sectarian comment. Petrov, 33, retired last May as captain of Aston Villa, having successfully fought acute leukaemia. He took a new coaching role with the club but left last August, saying he wanted more time with his family.