Teenager pleads guilty to anti-Semitic vandal attack
A VANDAL scrawled anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi symbols on an MSP’s office window, a court heard.
James Malcolm, 18, used red paint to write the symbols including a Star of David being hung on gallows, at Rona McKay’s Kirkintilloch office. He then caused £14,000 of damage to 27 headstones at a cemetery with a Nazi swastika symbol scribbled on broken glass found at one of them.
During his two-month crime spree, Malcolm yelled “Heil Hitler” at a terrified 16-year-old in a park.
He vandalised Lenzie Moss Nature Reserve and Waverly and Luggie Park in Kirkintiloch, and used his blood to write offensive slogans on the wall of a police cell.
Malcolm pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to four charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, a charge of maliciously damaging headstones and writing offensive slogans on a cell between June 1 and August 9, this year.
The court heard a member of the public spotted graffiti on a glass notice board at Lenzie Moss Nature Reserve on July 17.
He saw “Glory to marches and enemies to the point of no return” in blue paint, along with Nazi slogans and symbols as well as “James M”, scratched on to a sign among the post.
Procurator fiscal depute Mark Allan said the man was “offended and horrified” and took a picture then reported it to the police.
On July 24, Malcolm was with a group of younger teenagers who ran off when he began to vandalise the window at Miss McKay’s office with a red paint marker.
Mr Allan said the writing again included anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi symbols.
The following day an employee “felt uncomfortable about the content” of the vandalism and contacted the police. Investigations lead to Malcolm and officers went to his house to speak to him.
Malcolm said he didn’t intend to hurt anybody and only want get his messages out.
Sheriff Alan MacKenzie deferred sentenceand Malcolm was remanded.