THE father of Rangers and Scotland goalkeeper Allan McGregor was today (Wed) acquitted of breach of the peace charges.
Alexander McGregor faced charges he followed a 12-year-old boy and was shouting, swearing and making threats.
But he denied the offence and the Sheriff in the case commented that “none” of the evidence from three witnesses “matched up”.
The incident was said to have happened in the Edinburgh suburb of Currie, near the Ford’s Bakery in Currie’s Lanarkhall Road West, and in Curriehill Road.
Mr McGregor, from Baberton, Edinburgh, was twice said to have conducted himself in a disorderly manner, made threats and followed the schoolboy twice on March 26 last year.
According to the charges, he was also said to have been shouting and swearing.
His actions were said to have placed the public in a state of fear and alarm.
But the breach of the peace charge was dropped against Mr McGregor.
The evidence of three child witnesses, including the testimony of the alleged victim, was heard behind closed doors at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today after Sheriff Gordon Liddle ordered the press to leave.
After the evidence had been heard, defence agent Keith Leishman said that Mr McGregor had no case to answer.
Mr Leishman said two of the children gave evidence of very different conversations in relation to one of the incidents.
The agent told the court of his recollection of what one of the witnesses said in court. He said: “The complainer said that what was said was that ‘I’m the dad of the daughter you have been calling fat and ugly’.”
Mr Leishman said there was also an incident with a car when Mr McGregor was alleged to have driven past the 12-year-old boy.
But only the victim was present when this was alleged to have happened, he said.
Fiscal depute Bruce McCrossan said he did not oppose the motion made by the defence agent that McGregor had no case to answer.
Sheriff Liddle then acquitted Mr McGregor.
He said: “What I can tell you is that I’m going to find you not guilty. You have sat through the evidence of three witnesses. None of it matches up. It certainly doesn’t match up enough for you to be convicted of anything. You leave here the same as you entered here – innocent of anything.”
As he left the court room, the 47-year-old told members of the press: “Sorry folks.”
He refused to comment outside the court.
