Football fans fled police after trying to steal boat

Arampaging Rangers fan tried to take a boat from an exclusive country house hotel in Perthshire, before hiding in the undergrowth as police sniffer dogs tried to flush him out.

Lee Kennedy, 30, admitted being one of a trio of supporters involved in the early hours escapade at Ballathie House Hotel at Kinclaven.

Kennedy – along with fellow supporters Souness Clark and James Clark – sparked a major search along the banks of the River Isla.

Police were called to a separate incident and the trio were seen leaving the hotel, just after 8am.

Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie told Perth Sheriff Court: “All of the accused were seen by the river, jumping into and between two anchored, small, motorised fishing boats.

“Kennedy was seen to attempt to row using the oars and Clark was seen trying to start the engine by pulling on the cord.

“When police arrived they managed to apprehend the second accused (James Clark).

“However, they did struggle to get the first accused and Kennedy.

“They were seen to exit nearby shrubbery and initially made their way towards police.

“They refused to engage with police and continued along the river bank into denser shrubbery.

“They continued to hide for around 30 minutes and were ignoring requests to present themselves.

“A dog handler unit attended and on seeing the dogs, they made their way along the river bank.

“The first accused fell into the river but quickly climbed back on to the bank.”

The prosecutor told the court a civilian witness had managed to capture the men on video, trying to steal boats.

Solicitor Laura Boyd, defending, said: “Back in 2018 and 2019 he was suffering from issues with drink and drugs.

“He has now turned his life around.”

The court was told Kennedy was a full-time carer for his mother and Sheriff Kevin Veal deferred sentence for the preparation of social work reports.

Kennedy, Onslow Road, Clydebank, admitted being found in a vessel on the River Isla at Ballathie Estate in circumstances from which it could be inferred he intended to commit theft on September 26 2019.

Souness Clark, 31, Inchfad Drive, Glasgow, was fined £350 earlier this year when he admitted the same charge.

Perth Sheriff Court was previously told Clark was running wild in the hotel grounds more than nine hours after missing a bus back to Glasgow.

Police were called when a lodge at the hotel was filled with fire extinguisher foam.

The drunken escapade on the River Isla took place after Rangers’ Scottish League Cup quarter-final against Livingston on September 25 2019.

In the earlier case, fiscal depute Tina Dickie said: “Three men had been at a football match and missed the supporters’ bus home.

“Ballathie House Hotel received a phone call from a male asking if he could book a room for the night.

“The three men were given a lodge within the hotel grounds.

“Police officers arrived at the scene and saw the accused standing in one of the boats.

“He was then seen to jump from the boat into the river.”

His cousin, James Clark, 30, of Achamore Crescent, Glasgow, was also charged.

Solicitor Tracy Paterson, defending, said: “Mr Clark and his cousin, who is unfortunately now deceased, were at the Livingston v Rangers game.

“They had gone on the supporters’ bus but had quite a bit to drink and missed the bus home.

“They had a few drinks, his cousin acted up and he wanted to get away from him and that is when the stupidity occurred.”

CHAOTIC: Lee Kennedy was arrested after a drunken escapade led to him and two others attempting to flee police officers using a stolen boat.