
Ex-Scottish Premiership star ‘made teenage girl feel frightened' during alleged chip shop assault
The defender stood in the dock as the witness told the court about the alleged assault
SCOTS footballer Shaun Rooney made a teenage girl feel "frightened" after he allegedly assaulted her in a chip shop, a court heard.
The-28-year-old is accused of attacking Sophia Bruce, 18, at Blue Lagoon on Glasgow's Queen Street on September 19 2024.
2
Scottish footballer Shaun Rooney stood in the dock at Glasgow Sheriff Court over an alleged attack on a teenage girl
Credit: PA
2
Rooney is formerly of St Johnstone, St Mirren and four other Scottish teams
Court papers allege the former St Mirren defender repeatedly pushed her and seized her on the body.
It is claimed that Rooney, of Bellshill, Lanarkshire, twisted the arm of Miss Bruce and kicked her on the body to her injury.
Rooney faces a separate allegation of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the same date and location.
The charge alleges Rooney shouted, swore, acted in an aggressive manner and uttered derogatory remarks.
It is claimed the alleged offence was aggravated by prejudice related to sexual orientation.
The ex-Inverness and St Johnstone star stood in the dock today at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
International business student Miss Bruce told the court she went to the chip shop with friends during a night out.
She claimed that she came across Rooney - whom she did not know - arguing with a man.
Miss Bruce told the court that she tried to "calm down" the altercation and was prodded on the upper chest by Rooney.
The witness said in evidence that she and her male friend decided to leave the chip shop.
Man charged over fans' street rammy after Aberdeen-Celtic Scottish Cup final
Rooney is claimed to have said to Miss Bruce's friend: "F*** off gay boy" in a "quite angry and aggressive tone."
Miss Bruce told the court that she heard screaming and re-entered the shop, assuming it was one of her other friends.
She claimed she approached Rooney and told him: "You are not going to make anything better, you are embarrassing yourself a bit."
Miss Bruce added: "He kind of grabbed my arm, it might have been my right arm.
"It was a very tight grip - he was twisting a bit.
"I was asking what he was doing twisting an 18-year-old girl's arm and I pushed him away with my boot and he kicked me on my leg."
Prosecutor Cameron Gaw asked how many hands Rooney laid on her during the alleged twist.
She replied: "I think it was just the one - I felt that he was twisting it a little.
"I felt so frightened as I had not been in a situation [before] especially with a grown man."
The witness said that she was also left with a mark on her leg as a result.
When asked to describe the mark, she replied: "Just a red mark on my leg which turned into a much bigger bruise - it was sore and really painful.
"I don't think I have felt so much impact before on my body."
The witness added that she struggled to walk in the morning after the incident.
When asked about how much she had to drink that night, Miss Bruce stated that she had "two" between 4pm and 1.30am.
The trial continues before Sheriff Joan Kerr.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
38 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Police slammed over daft hate crimes including trans woman banned from ladies loo & man singing Scots song in England
The bizarre cases were among at least 6,300 non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) recorded in 2024 LOO-NACY! Police slammed over daft hate crimes including trans woman banned from ladies loo & man singing Scots song in England COPS are still logging bizarre hate incidents — including the singing of anthem Flower of Scotland at an English railway station. An investigation by The Sun reveals how police — under fire for not catching shoplifters and burglars — are wasting vital time on the 'non-crime hate incidents'. 5 Police across Britain stand accused of failing to tackle 'actual crimes' while instead investigating 'hate' complaints (stock picture) Credit: Alamy 5 One force probed concerns about a man singing anthem Flower of Scotland at an English train station (stock picture) Credit: PA:Press Association 5 Cops also investigated a pub landlord who stopped a transgender woman using his ladies' loo (stock picture) Credit: Alamy Former officers and MPs want the 'crackers' cases scrapped. Police stand accused of failing to tackle 'actual crimes' while instead investigating 'hate' complaints — including one about a pub landlord who stopped a transgender woman using his ladies' loo. Cops also logged a case after a caller put on an Indian accent to order a chicken tikka masala from a takeaway. Another force was contacted by a person whose new boss called their designer clothes 'fake' and told them of an intimate Where's Wally tattoo. The bizarre cases were among at least 6,300 non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) recorded in 2024. The true figure would be much higher as 15 of the 44 police forces in England and Wales did not disclose figures under a Freedom of Information request. MPs and top cops led calls to stop wasting time on NCHIs, which are recorded where no criminal offence has been committed but the 'victim' feels it was motivated by hate or prejudice. Shadow Justice Minister Robert Jenrick said: 'We have lost the plot. 'Practically everyone in the country will have at some point said something that would get them reported. 'This is crackers. Moment Met boss dodges question over two-tier policing of riots by grabbing reporters' mic & chucking it to floor 'We need to scrap NCHIs altogether.' Reform UK's Lee Anderson added: 'The majority of these incidents are reported by total snowflakes. 'These are the people who should be charged with wasting police time. 'Officers should be investigating proper crimes not hurt feelings. 'Those who complain should go and live on a remote island with some of our celebrities who make a living out of being offended.' The person in Bedfordshire upset by the Where's Wally tattoo also complained of the supervisor asking about their shoes and requests to remove their durag hair covering. The incident was recorded as 'sex-based and hate-motivated'. The police log obtained by The Sun says: 'The victim felt irritated for the rest of the shift as it was mean and uncalled for.' In Dunstable, Beds, a complainant said they heard a neighbour gossiping on their Ring doorbell, then point at their home and make an insult before walking off. Bedfordshire Police said: 'We record hate related incidents in line with national guidance set out by the College of Policing.' South Wales Police, which dealt with the trans row, recorded 40 NCHIs last year. It said one 'perpetrator' was aged nine, another 11. Humberside Police logged the case where a person put on an Indian accent to order a curry. West Yorkshire Police handled 175 complaints — one from a man who claimed his bins kept being moved because he was gay. Forces that did not provide their figures included London's Met — the UK's biggest — West Midlands, Essex and Devon and Cornwall. Ex-Met detective Peter Bleksley said: 'These examples are ludicrous and a total waste of police time. 'Waste of police time' 'It is not a policing matter if someone is singing Flower of Scotland. 'If it were, the whole of the Met would have to be deployed when Scotland play rugby at Twickenham. 'These are mostly juvenile situations and officers should not lower themselves to getting involved. 'It is a serious problem when a lot of actual crimes are not investigated.' NCHIs were introduced in 2014 and are meant to help forces develop intelligence on situations that could potentially escalate. In some cases, cops speak to those supposedly committing offences. An NCHI can remain on file for six years and, in some cases, be disclosed to a prospective employer. A report this week by think tank Civitas called for NCHIs to be abolished. Author Hardeep Singh said: 'Some activist groups continue to weaponise them against their political opponents. "We've seen the most absurd incidents being recorded over the years, and precious police resources should not be drained by policing online ideological disputes.' 5 Cops also logged a case after a caller put on an Indian accent to order a chicken tikka masala from a takeaway Credit: Getty - Contributor 5 Another force was contacted by a person whose new boss called their designer clothes 'fake' and told them of an intimate Where's Wally tattoo Credit: Alamy In 2023, the Home Office issued guidance instructing officers to consider if there was genuine hostility in the incident or whether it could be considered freedom of speech. Earlier this month, Greater Manchester Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said the policy of recording NCHIs had 'passed its sell-by date'. Sir Andy Marsh, head of standards body the College of Policing, called on officers to use more 'common sense' and signalled that the recording of NCHIs needs to be scrapped. He said: 'What we've wrapped up that objective in doesn't stand up to scrutiny on many occasions under the common-sense test. 'We need to fix it. 'I don't want to be policing freedom of speech.'


Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Aberdeen star's Bond link as he dates Sean Connery's granddaughter
Dante Polvara has been spotted on social media spending time with Sean Connery's granddaughter, Natasha. Aberdeen star Dante Polvara celebrated Scottish cup glory, with a bond girl on his arm. The midfielder was a hero at Hampden as the Dons pulled off a shock Scottish cup victory over Scotland, and by his side was none other than Natasha Connery, granddaughter of Sir Sean Connery- the original James Bond. Polvara came off the bech during the match and calmly scored a penalty in the shootout as Aberdeen won 4-3. The 25-year-old American signed for Pittodrie straight from New York City FC's youth sides. After a loan spell in the US with Charleston Battery, he enjoyed a breakthrough 2023/24 season, making 40 appearances and scoring five goals. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Sir Sean was the first actor to bring 007 to life on the big screen, starring in classics like Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever. He also bagged an Oscar for The Untouchables and was knighted in 2000 for his contribution to film. Adding another twist, former Rangers chairman Sir David Murray revealed that Connery secretly invested £1million into the club. Murray wrote in his book Mettle: "For years, Sean and I would share a catch-up call every weekend to chat through the football and we would inevitably kick off with Rangers. "After all, he had put £1million into the club which no one knew about at the time or even since. "I was raising £50million in 2004 and Sean asked if he could invest. "I told him that it was football, that there were no guarantees and he should get professional advice but he was adamant - he wanted in."


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Leicester face battle to find a manager to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy amid points deduction fears
No fewer than EIGHT players have entered the final year of their contracts Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LEICESTER face a battle to convince their top managerial targets to take on the chaos gripping the crisis-hit club. The Foxes finally parted company with manager Ruud van Nistelrooy on Friday — 33 days after the end of the season — and a whopping 68 days since relegation was confirmed against Liverpool with five games remaining. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Ruud van Nistelrooy left Leicester City this week 7 The Foxes were relegated back to the Championship after just one season Credit: Getty 7 Sean Dyche has been linked with the Leicester job Credit: Getty Sean Dyche and Sheffield Wednesday's departing boss Danny Rohl have emerged as the front-runners to replace the Dutchman following his marathon period as a dead-man walking. Former Wolves boss Gary O'Neil and ex-Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick are also on Leicester's radar. However, club chiefs will find it tough to persuade any potential candidate to accept what increasingly appears to be a poisoned chalice. The Foxes seem to be in freefall and have a potential points deduction hanging over them in the Championship as Prem bosses charged them with breaching strict Profit and Sustainability Rules. READ MORE LEICESTER NEWS CAR CRASH Fans claim Carabao Cup draw is 'rigged' as huge derby clash is handed out Meanwhile, the club's main backers, King Power, have been plunged into a financial crisis and are feared to be on the brink of collapse after running up eye-watering losses of £450million. Legendary striker Jamie Vardy quit the East Midlands outfit this summer to cut the last ties with the club's 5,000-1 title-winning team which famously lifted Premier League trophy in 2016. Wilfred Ndidi, 28, is expected to follow him out of the door, with Everton and Manchester United looking to sign the powerful midfielder. No fewer than EIGHT players have entered the final year of their contracts, while Van Nistelrooy banished Harry Winks and Jannik Vestergaard for refusing to stay one night a week in Leicester. 7 Former Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has been linked with taking over at the King Power Stadium Credit: AP 7 Manchester United legend Michael Carrick is also on the Foxes' radar after leaving Middlesbrough last month Credit: PA CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS With little cash available to patch up a wafer-thin squad already low on confidence following relegation, the new boss may also struggle to convince potential targets to join. It is a bleak prospect for Leicester chiefs — club chairman Aiyawatt 'Top' Srivaddhanaprabha and beleaguered director of football Jon Rudkin — as they try to find 48-year-old Van Nistelrooy's replacement. Ruud Van Nistelrooy speaks after Leicester relegated to the Championship Title-winner Marc Albrighton fears for his former club, whose players return for pre-season training on Monday. The 35-year-old former wideman told SunSport: 'Most clubs are prepared for the worst now. 'They sack their manager in the morning and by the afternoon they've got someone else in charge. 'But it will be hard for Leicester to get someone in with a potential points deduction hanging over the club. 'Any new manager will be conscious of that and won't want to commit until they know what they're dealing with. 7 Title-winner Marc Albrighton exclusively opened up about his fears to SunSport Credit: Getty 'The fans will be expecting an early appointment, given the length of time the board must have known Ruud was going. 'But I wouldn't be too hasty with a new appointment. 'I'd be really thorough because they MUST get this appointment right. 'They obviously went through two major managerial changes last season, and they won't want to go through that again. 'They'll want a manager who is hopefully going to be there for quite a while. So I wouldn't be rushing too much into it if I was them."