Clutha campaigner is cleared of assault rap

CLUTHA disaster campaigner John McGarrigle has walked free from court after he was accused of being involved in a bust-up with a neighbour.

The 39-year-old was arrested and remanded in prison following an incident while out walking his dog in Paisley.

Despite needing crutches to get about at the time following a debilitating leg infection, it was claimed he became embroiled in a violent street fracas and that he had been in possession of a knife.

But following a two-day trial at Kilmarnock Sheriff court Mr McGarrigle was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Last night, he said: “I lost four months of my life in Low Moss Prison to something that should never have got to court. All I can do is put it behind me and get on with my life.”

In January we reported that Mr McGarrigle had been forced to instruct his legal team to sue Bond Aviation Services for compensation after the firm refused to recognise his claim for the November 2013 disaster. His father, also called John, died when a police helicopter operated by the firm plunged into the Glasgow pub.

Strict liability laws mean the aircraft’s owner is responsible for injuries to ground victims but, despite this, Bond is refusing to recognise Mr McGarrigle’s claim.

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch report concluded pilot David Traill, 51, didn’t follow emergency protocol and flew on, ignoring fuel warnings.

Capt Traill and PCs Tony Collins, 43, and Kirsty Nelis, 36, lost their lives.

Clutha customers Sam McGhee, 56, Mark O’Prey, 44, Gary Arthur, 48, Colin Gibson, 33, Robert Jenkins, 61, and Joe Cusker, 59,

also died.