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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Emylie Howie

M8 drama as drunk Rangers fan forces cops onto hard shoulder during sectarian rant

An out-of-control football thug bawled sectarian abuse and threatened to shoot police after they found him drunk on the street.

John Boyd's kicked at windows and repeatedly spat as officers transporting him across the M8 in car, forcing them to pull over onto the hard shoulder to restrain him further.

The drama unfolded when the drunk yob, draped in a Rangers flag, was spotted clutching bottles of Buckfast and pink Hooch, the Paisley Daily Express reports.

When police arrived at the scene on Paisley's Fulbar Road on April 18 last year the 25-year-old was immediately hostile and became increasingly aggressive and threatening.

Depute procurator fiscal David McDonald told Paisley Sheriff Court that Boyd tried to avoid being handcuffed before being bundled into the police car, and became increasingly aggressive as he was transported to Greenock police office.

Mr McDonald explained: "Once within the police vehicle he continued shouting and swearing towards police officers stating, 'you's are Fe***n b******s, I'm no a 'ta****r, you's are f*****g ta*****s' and repeatedly shouted, 'Celtic are p****s, Fe****s are p****s' and 'yous are f*****g p****s.'

"While being taken to Greenock Police station, Boyd continued with his behaviour and rubbed his nose against the left arm of PC McLelland and started spitting repeatedly into the footwell of the vehicle."

The court heard that PC McLelland restrained out-of-control Boyd who was "kicking out at the roof and window of the police vehicle which forced driver PC Levett to pull over.

Mr McDonald went on: "PC Levett immediately pulled over on the hard shoulder of the M8 motorway and Boyd was removed and struggled violently with officers. A spit hood and fast straps were applied.

"Boyd continued to shout, swear and make threats stating, 'I wouldn't spit on you, I'd shoot you in the eye' and repeatedly made threats to shoot police officers and their families."

Defence agent Colin McLaughlan told the court that Boyd, of Moorpark Crescent in Prestwick, had turned to alcohol to deal with "trauma" after being subject to a stabbing.

Mr McLaughlan added: "He's had some difficulties.

"He says he is a Rangers fan and he hadn't been at the football but was having some sort of celebrations.

"This was more of an excuse to turn to drink rather than celebrate anything."

On sentencing, Sheriff Brian Mohan said: "You're currently serving a sentence, so I'll need to call for background reports.

"From you sitting drunk, happy that your team won, you've got yourself in a heck of a mess.

"I've got to look at this seriously no matter how ridiculous this incident sounds."

Sheriff Mohan adjourned the diet for the preparation of reports until May 27.

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