Man admits injuring police officer by throwing lit firework at republican march
David McCaig was among a number of protesters against the parade in Glasgow last September
A court has heard how a man threw lit fireworks at an Irish republican parade in Glasgow, leaving a police officer with burns, hearing loss and blurred vision.
Builder David McCaig, 33, who was part of a large group of protestors against the march, planned the attack on the Broomielaw last September in advance.
He hurled two fireworks at the marchers. One of them bounced off a vehicle and injured PC David Brown causing him 60 per cent hearing loss and burns.
McCaig pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to culpable and reckless conduct by injuring PC Brown to his severe injury and permanent impairment. The offence was aggravated by religious prejudice.
The court heard officers conducted a “large scale public order operation” that day because of trouble the week before in the city’s Govan during another Republican parade.
Police separated the marchers and 100 to 150 loyalist protesters near the King George V bridge.
Prosecutor Graham Macdonald told the court a number of items were thrown at the police and marchers by the protesters.
He said: “McCaig walked over to the group of counter protestors and stopped in the middle of them.
“He then threw a pyrotechnic towards the direction of police and the marchers which exploded.
“He is then seen standing behind the group of protestors and is seen to ignite a second pyrotechnic and throw it towards the direction of the police.
“The pyrotechnic then struck a nearby vehicle before striking PC Brown on the body, bouncing off him and exploding directly nearby.”
The 42-year-old officer with 14 years of service suffered burns to his right shoulder, ringing in his right ear and blurring to his right eye.
The court heard PC Brown was taken to hospital and was found to have lost 60 per cent of the hearing in his right ear.
Mr Macdonald told the court as of January this year PC Brown continues to have problems with tinnitus and trouble sleeping.
McCaig was later snared after his distinctive orange top and blue shorts were identified from footage of the incident.
Officers raided his home to find fireworks in his shed and two boxes of smoke bombs in his living room.
His phone was also seized which uncovered a conversation on Instagram which revealed he had bought the fireworks days prior for £236.
Sentence was deferred for background reports by Sheriff Andrew Cubie until next month.
McCaig, of Law, South Lanarkshire, was remanded in custody meantime.
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