Attack thug is jailed

Hogmanay incident

Two mates from Rutherglen are getting on their bike to raise money for a good cause and say farewell to a well-known Rutherglen pub.

Andy Stirling and Paul Morrison will complete a 50-mile static cycle to raise money for cancer charity Clic Sargent.

The pair will take to their bikes on February 9 in the Stirrup Cup, which is due to close on February 18.

Rangers fan Andy, 52, and Celtic-daft Paul, 49, previously raised money for charity by swapping shirts on the day of an Old Firm game last year.

They chose Clic Sargent back then because Andy’s son, Paul, suffers from leukaemia.

But this time, Andy says it is more about honouring others who have fought the disease.

He said:“I don’t want to make it personal this time, I’m just wanting to raise as much money for charity as possible.

“I am generally pretty fit anyway, but I can’t speak for Paul.”

The night will include a karaoke and raffles along with a DJ.

People can also donate at www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ andrew-stirling6.

A 41-year-old man has been jailed for his part in a New Year’s Eve attack on a man and woman in Rutherglen.

Michael McTaggart seized the clothing of the male, pulled him on to the ground and punched and kicked him on the head and body.

He failed to desist when requested to do so and further kicked the female on the body and headbutted her at Hamilton Road on December 31, 2017.

McTaggart, of Hillhead Avenue, Rutherglen, admitted to forcing entry to the U-Save shop on the street and kicked, struck and damaged the door.

He also pleaded guilty to shouting and swearing at the man and woman and repeatedly uttering threats of violence towards them and the shop staff.

His co-accused, Martin McGoldrick, 30, is alleged to have assaulted the male by striking him repeatedly with a bottle to the head.

The Edinbeg Avenue, Toryglen, resident was on bail at the time of the incident. But he was absent when court called on January 23 and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Three days later, McTaggart and John McGoldrick, 34, pleaded guilty to repeatedly kicking and striking the front door belonging to the pair and another man and causing damage to it. They both admitted to shouting, swearing and uttering threats of violence towards them at their address on Hamilton Road on January 3, 2018.

McTaggart pleaded guilty to all charges and was jailed for eight months.

While McGoldrick, of Hillhead Avenue, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.