Thug hurled sectarian abuse at Rangers game
ATEENAGE thug hurled sectarian abuse at a Rangers game. Paul McLeod, 18, made the vile comments while at Ibrox Stadium on December 15, 2021.
Rangers were facing St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership at the time which the hosts won 2- 0. McLeod taunts included: “F*** the pope” and later stated “All taigs are targets.”
He also sang the sash and made a homophobic slur to police. McLeod went on to commit a spate of assaults as well as call an officer a “fenian” in the months that followed.
McLeod pleaded guilty yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to two charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner aggravated by religious prejudice and prejudice relating to sexual orientation.
He also admitted five assaults, one theft as well as possession of a passport with improper intention.
The court heard officers had reason to arrest McLeod at the match for an unrelated matter around half time.
He falsely claimed he was “Leon Lochrie” and had possession of a passport baring the name.
McLeod was taken from the stadium into custody where his behaviour continued where he made the “All taigs are targets” remark.
He then went on to call officers “P*** y b****** s.”
McLeod then made an attempt to bite PC Heather Cameron on the hand. McLeod went on to attack
Lewis Meechan, 30, near a city centre hotel on February 11, 2022.
The victim was able to escape but McLeod went on to pounce on Maria Carlin, 37, and stole her bag.
Mr Meechan was taken to hospital where it was found he suffered a fracture to his eye.
While in custody for the offence, McLeod again attempted to bite the hand of an officer.
McLeod was found loitering in the bedroom of a 34- year- old Olawnmi Balogun in the city’s Cessnock on August 9, 2022. He fled the scene after the victim screamed but he took with him a quantity of cash.
McLeod pushed Robert Bryson to the ground before kicking him on the head in the city’s Govan on September 10, 2022.
McLeod made off with a tobacco tin and £ 40 in cash.
An off- duty officer and members of the public were able to hold McLeod until police arrived.
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until the new year.