Thug pushed his own granny
Bosses at St Mirren Football Club were set to endure a different pitch-side experience on Friday night by sleeping outside and raising awareness of homelessness.
The club’s chairman John Needham and the women’s manager Kate Cooper were to join fans in sleeping in temperatures of six degrees and pouring rain to raise funds for Shelter Scotland and St Mirren Charitable Foundation.
The second St Mirren Sleep Out be held in the SMiSA stadium, the event was first held last year at the request of the black and white army.
A number of fans spent the night under the stars with nothing more than a sleeping bag to keep them warm.
But this year they will be joined by John and Kate who are dedicated to raising both awareness and cash for those who sleep outside in freezing temperatures for months on end.
Gayle Brannigan, chief executive of St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation organised the event and was also set to join the volunteers the pitch-side between 7pm and 7am.
Speaking before the event she said: “When we said we were doing it again so many fans said I will do it.
“For fans they like being in the stadium but it will not be a comfortable experience.
“We have given them a list of clothing such as scarves and gloves, but, apart from that, all we give them is a ground mat to sleep on.
“There are no additional comforts and that’s the reality for people who sleep outside.
“They don’t have food, they are really struggling in very challenging circumstances.
“Most of them don’t even feel safe never mind anything else.
“This experience will be as close to that reality as we can safely make it.”
The event was to be held on March 17, a date the black and white army has dubbed Saints Day as it marks the anniversary of when the Buddies lifted the Scottish League Cup. During the
Covid-19 pandemic fans donned their black and white stripes and made a donation to charity to mark the occasion.
But when the social restrictions were lifted fans suggested the club adopt the sleep out.
“This is completely fan driven,” Gayle added.
“We recognise that many of us are very, very fortunate to have warm homes to go home to.
“We want this to raise awareness of the people who benefit from the services offered by Shelter Scotland and similar charities and we’re very grateful for all donations.”
The event had, as of Friday morning, already raised £4,000.
To donate log on to https:// gofund.me/8a5b4eee
A Renfrew man could be facing a jail term after admitting he assaulted his grandmother.
Vile Derek Knox admitted he seized his grandmother by the body and forced her against a wall – in her own home in Paisley on March 3.
On the same date, Knox, of Renfield Street, also assaulted PC Hannah Elliott while she was on duty by kicking her on the body.
The bully was subject to three separate court bail orders at the time of the assaults.
Knox, appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court from custody where he also admitted to breaching his bail conditions.
The 20-year-old was granted bail on October 27, 2022 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court with a condition he remains within his home address between 7pm and 7am each day.
And on March 3, he breached this condition by being outwith his home when he committed the awful assaults.
Defence agent Michael Henry asked the court for Knox to be released on bail and for background reports to be called for to aid the court’s sentencing.
Mr Henry added: “He presents as a young vulnerable man.
“I have great concerns regarding his mental health and he is struggling greatly in custody. This has been his first stint of being in jail and has had the desired effect on him.
“He doesn’t want to go back and he wants to move on with his life.If he is liberated today, he has employment he can walk back into with his father’s landscaping company.”
Sheriff Suhkwinder Gill refused the motion for bail.
Sentence was deferred for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment.
Knox was remanded meantime and will return for sentencing on March 24.