Neil Lennon death threat man faces jail

Bigot vowed to shoot former Celtic manager

A foul-mouthed bigot who made death threats against Neil Lennon is facing a jail stretch.

Rangers fan Sean Cowan vowed he would get a gun and shoot the Hibs coach and ex- Celtic manager in the head after the teams met last August.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard that Cowan, 54, posted hateful remarks on the Facebook page of Rangers fan site Follow Follow on Saturday, August 12, following a Hibs 3-2 victory over Rangers.

Yesterday, Cowan, of Ramsay Avenue, Johnstone, pleaded guilty to charges under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act.

Fiscal depute Pamela Flynn said: “On August 14, a report was received by Police Scotland’s Football Coordination Unit.

“It was regarding offensive comments posted on Facebook. The posts were made on the Rangers Football Club fans forum by the name of Follow Follow. They noted the comments were made around 10pm on August 12. This followed a Rangers-Hibs fixture on that date.”

The court heard three comments had been posted by Cowan. 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 he wrote 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.”

The court heard Cowan later deleted the comments, but not until after they had been reported to police by a witness who took screenshots and handed them over.

Cops went round to his home on August 14 and he owned up to making the threats against the football boss.

Miss Flynn added: “They attended at his home address to detain and interview him where he made full admissions to posting the Facebook messages from his mobile phone within his home address. He was cautioned and charged and he replied: ‘I am disgusted.’”

Cowan appeared shame-faced in the dock yesterday before Sheriff Vincent Canavan.

He admitted the charges at an intermediate diet, a pre-trial hearing.

But he was warned he faces being banged up in jail when he returns for sentencing next month following the preparation of background reports.

Defence agent Terry Gallanagh said: “Essentially the background is that there was a game at Ibrox involving Rangers and Hibernian.

“While many people on this internet site, idiots, frankly, profess to ‘never surrender’ or say ‘no surrender’ Mr Cowan has surrendered and has accepted his responsibility at an early stage.

“He tendered his plea at the first calling of the case and is disgusted with himself.”

Sheriff Canavan called for Criminal Justice Social Work Reports. The accused was bailed and will appear for sentence next month.