Extortion accused lives in star’s villa
A MAN accused of demanding cash for a pair of earrings lost during a fight involving footballer Kenny Miller lives in a £ 600,000 property belonging to the striker.
Billy Steele is alleged to have demanded £ 40,000 from a woman as compensation for jewellery Miller’s wife Laura, 28, lost during a fight at a posh restaurant.
Steele was arrested after the incident and appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court where he faced two extortion charges. He has since been released on bail. However, The Sunday Post can reveal that Steele lives in an upmarket East Renfrewshire villa that belongs to Miller.
The 35-year-old is said to have been living in the player’s Eaglesham mansion for a number of weeks.
Last week, a woman who identified herself as Steele’s mother answered the villa’s door and confirmed he lived there. However, she refused to comment any further.
One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “Eaglesham is a lovely wee spot, very quiet.
“Old Firm players have always gravitated towards Eaglesham and nearby Mearnskirk because it has the right sort of properties.”
The Sunday Post revealed last week that officers were waiting to arrest Steele outside the gates of £ 10,000- a- year Hamilton College.
No arrest was made at the elite school – which is not connected to any incident – but Steele later handed himself in to police.
Miller, 36, is a key witness in the alleged gangland extortion plot.
Police Scotland officers are examining two mobile phones connected to the player as part of their investigation.
The bust-up where Laura Miller’s earrings were lost happened at Da Luciano’s restaurant in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, just hours after Celtic beat Rangers 5-1. Up to 20 people were involved. Terrified Laura was slapped in the face during the brawl, suffering a black eye and a scratch to her forehead.
A source told The Sunday Post at the time: “It was a very ugly scene. It was like something from a wild west movie.”
A spokesman for the Cr ow n confirmed Steele had been released on bail following an appearance at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.