A football fan sent a barrage of threats and abuse to the SFA because he was furious at a referee's handling of a top-flight game, a court heard.

Andrew Hughes sent the message to the SFA's main e-mail address claiming he had "started a hate campaign" against Bobby Madden and hoped he "died a horrible death".

Hughes branded Madden an "absolute disgrace" and said he "would not be responsible for his actions" if the ref was seen at Dens Park again.

The trucker lost the plot following a controversial match between his side and Tayside rivals St Johnstone on November 8 last year.

Home fans were left furious early in the match when Madden booked Dark Blues striker David Clarkson for a dive under a challenge by Saints keeper Alan Mannus.

They wanted the Northern Ireland international sent off and a penalty awarded but those claim were waved away.

Later, Madden further infuriated home fans by giving Saints a penalty for a shirt pull by James McPake on away striker Brian Graham.

On his way home from the match Hughes stopped at the Clep Bar near the stadium.

At 7.39pm he wrote the expletive laden e-mail, stating: "I feel I must write after the recent performance of referee Bobby Madden - if you can call this ar*****e a referee.

"This guy was an absolute disgrace and had no idea how to referee this game... I am furious with some of his decisions and nothing would suit me better than to see this ar****e of a human being die a horrible death.

"If he ventures near Dens Park again I will not be responsible for my actions against this p***k.

"I have started a hate campaign against Bob Madden and Dundee supporters are signing up to it."

Hughes then signed the e-mail with his own name.

The e-mail was filtered through to a Hampden security chief who forwarded it to police.

The following day Hughes e-mailed back - apologising for his "vile comments with terrible language" and said it was "definitely out of character".

Hughes, 52, of Blairgowrie, Perthshire, pleaded guilty to a charge under the Communications Act.

Sheriff Linda Smith fined him £200.