FOOTBALL THIEF IS FOUND DEAD IN FLAT
Cops in witness appeal after brutal assault
A DAD who nicked mobile phones from a dressing room during a junior football match in Glasgow has been found dead in the city after suffering a “violent assault”.
Ryan Richardson stole the handsets while St Roch’s were playing Port Glasgow but furious players from both sides tracked him down to a flat in Springburn using the Find My iPhone app in September 2017.
He pled guilty to stealing a quantity of mobile phones from the Royston Road football ground when he appeared in court last year.
Sheriff Alan Miller handed him a 12-month community payback order at Glasgow Sheriff Court with the conditions he is supervised in the community and attends for alcohol treatment.
Now he has been found dead at a flat in the east end of Glasgow.
Police say the dad-of-three died as the result of a “violent assault”.
A murder probe has been launched after the 28-year-old was found at Kilmany Drive in Shettleston. His body was discovered by police on Friday evening after his family had raised concerns that he had not been seen and had not been in contact with anyone for more than a week.
The last known sighting of Richardson was by a family member near the Bellgrove Hotel, Gallowgate, on Wednesday, March 6.
Detective Chief Inspector Grant Macleod from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team said: “Mr Richardson died after being the victim of a violent assault and it is absolutely vital that we get to the bottom of what happened and why.
“Our investigation will focus on establishing a time frame of Mr Richardson’s movements prior to him being found and we would urge anyone with information to come forward.
“Perhaps you have seen Mr Richardson over the past few weeks, heard some sort of disturbance, or noticed someone acting suspiciously around his home. Even the slightest detail could be significant so please get in touch if you know anything at all.
“We are also keen to speak to any friends or acquaintances of Mr Richardson who have spoken to him recently, or have knowledge of any issues he may have been having.
“It is important that we know as much as possible about his life and activities, as this information could help us find the person responsible for his death.”
His brother Adam paid tribute on Facebook, saying: “It’s with great sadness I have the news that my crazy wee brother Ryan Richardson has sadly passed away.
“He will be sorely missed by us all and leaves three beautiful kids behind as well as a newborn nephew.”
“Rest in peace wee bro, you will be remembered fondly by the people that really knew you.”
It is thought the victim had been living at the address temporarily.
Richardson was sentenced in March last year following the phone thefts.