Celtic fan stands trial for punching three police horses

A Celtic fan is on trial for punching three police horses during the worst riot a officer claimed he has ever seen.

Kevin McGuire, 36, denies “causing unnecessary suffering” to Nerston, Oban and Glasgow on January this year before the Hoops played Airdrie in the cup.

Sergeant Mark Stewart told Glasgow Sheriff Court: “When I got there, Airdrie fans were being blocked from getting into the ground by Celtic fans.

“There were families trying to get in and there were bricks and missiles getting flung as well as spitting and throwing lit cigarettes.

“They were very aggressive and this was the worst I riot had ever seen.”

The officer claimed McGuire was "directing others" during the alleged incident.

Sgt Stewart said he saw McGuire attack three police horses during outside the ground.

He added: “I asked him to move and he punched my horse Oban on the nozzle which caused him to react.

“It was a full blown punch and he also punched police horse Glasgow on the face.”

Sgt Stewart claimed another police horse named Nerston was also punched later on.

He stated he was hit on the leg by McGuire as was another officer.

PC Mark Garner claimed to have witnessed the attacks by McGuire.

But, he was unable to identify himself or McGuire when CCTV was shown to the court.

He claimed to have arrested McGuire after the incident was over.

PC Garner added that McGuire was put into a police van with two sets of handcuffs tied behind his back.

But, he claimed McGuire moved them to the front using a “party trick.”

Lawyer, Michael McKeown, defending, asked how it was possible.

PC Garner replied: “I’m not a contortionist and don’t know how it was done.”

PC Garner took McGuire to nearby London Road police office where he was said to be “compliant but aggressive.”

McGuire, from Cardonald, is also charged with two assaults to police officers and acting in a threatening and abusive manner.

The trial continues before Sheriff John McCormick.

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