‘I’ll kill Lennon’ thug dodges jail sentence
Rangers fan’s sick online posts after defeat by Hibs
A DRUNKEN Rangers fan who made death threats against Neil Lennon yesterday avoided jail.
Sean Cowan bragged online that he could get a gun and said he would shoot the Hibs coach and ex-Celtic manager in the head.
The 54-year-old posted the vile comments on the Facebook page of Rangers fan site Follow Follow after Hibs beat the Ibrox club 3-2 in August.
He admitted charges under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act and, when Cowan appeared for sentencing, Paisley sheriff Craig Harris said he came very close to jailing him.
Instead he imposed a two-year community payback order, including a three-month night-time curfew and 200 hours of unpaid work.
The sheriff said: “You chose to drink to excess that day but alcohol is no excuse for your behaviour.”
He added that Cowan’s repeated posts appeared as a “serious credible threat”.
Prosecutor Tom Bowman told the court three comments were posted under the name Sean Cowan.
He said: “These were made around 10pm on August 12, following a Rangers versus Hibs fixture.”
The first was: “Somebody give me a weapon and I will shoot this little terrorist c*** in the head with impunity.”
The second read: “I’m serious. I would.”
The third was: “I can get one, not a problem. Police Scotland are probably all over it now. I have previous for firearms so I’m expecting a chap soon.”
Defence agent Charlie McCusker said Cowan had reported himself to police as he feared a backlash after posts circulated on social media.
McCusker said: “He was concerned about people coming to his house. He gave full admissions.”
He added that Cowan, who recently gave up his job to look after his partner, was “deeply remorseful” and had been drinking all day on the day of the match.
McCusker said: “He would like to apologise to Neil Lennon for his behaviour.
“He was caught up in the moment. He is very ashamed by it.”