YOU CAN’T ARREST ME .. I’M A GYPPO

A SELF-STYLED traveller held by police after firing a gun over his mother’s grave told officers they couldn’t arrest him because “I’m a gyppo”.

Paul Couse, who claims to be of traveller descent, said shooting a volley at graveside was a tradition.

But police arrested him on various charges including firearms offences, which he later admitted in court.

Armed officers swooped on the graveyard in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, after being alerted by a taxi driver who had ferried Couse there from his nearby home.

Airdrie Sheriff Court was told cabbie Christopher O’Neill reported seeing a gun and ammo during the ride to Coltswood Cemetery.

Couse, who had been drinking, was cuffed and taken to Coatbridge police station, where he told officers: “I’ve not done anything wrong.

“I’m a gyppo and it’s a tradition. I just shot three rounds over my ma’s grave and you cannae charge me with anything.” Prosecutor Agnes Meek said Couse, 50, fired five shots in tribute to his late mother Isabella Forrester, 67.

He pleaded guilty to carrying the black replica firearm, a 8mm blank firing pistol, in April last year. He also admitted scaring cabbie Christopher by firing the gun. Sheriff Petra Collins deferred sentence for reports until next month and released Couse on

bail.

I just shot three rounds over my ma’s grave and you cannae charge me PAUL COUSE