St Johnstone female follower did not need hospital treatment but was left shaken from the incident, say police
By Democrat reporter
A football supporter has been arrested in connection with an alleged robbery and assault on a woman that took place outside Hampden Park before the Rangers v St Johnstone match on Saturday.
Police confirmed after making inquiries that a 22-year-old man was arrested and charged after a woman, 51, was reportedly assaulted before having her St Johnstone drum taken on August 17.
The woman did not need hospital treatment but was shaken by the incident.
While police attended that incident another disturbance kicked off outside the national stadium, which Rangers are renting temporarily under major construction work is completed at Ibrox, resulting in two more arrests of a 16-year-old man and a 21-year-old man.
The man is due to appear in Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, August 19.
A spokesperson for St Johnstone said: “We are aware of an incident involving one of our club employees prior to today’s Premier Sports Cup match against Rangers at Hampden Park.
“We are working with Rangers Football Club, Police Scotland, the SPFL and the SFA, with an active investigation now underway.
“The club can make no further comment at this time.”
A Rangers spokesperson said: “Rangers confirms it is assisting Police Scotland with its inquiries.
“The club strongly condemns any instances of aggressive or anti-social behaviour. Given this is a live investigation, however, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said “A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged after a 51-year-old woman was assaulted and had a St Johnstone supporters drum taken from her outside Hampden Stadium.
“The incident happened around 4.45pm on Saturday, 17 August 2024, prior to the Rangers v St Johnstone Scottish League Cup game.
“The man is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, 19 August 2024 in connection with the robbery. The woman did not require hospital treatment.”
They added: “As officers were responding to this incident, a disturbance took place which resulted in two further males, aged 16 and 21, being arrested in connection with breach of the peace offences and resisting arrest.
“Both were charged and released on an undertaking to appear before Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date.”
Arran Watt, 22, is alleged to have committed the offence outside Glasgow’s Hampden Park on August 17, 2024.
Rangers later faced the Perth side in a match the hosts won 2-0.
Court papers state Watt, of Irvine, North Ayrshire, reset a drum which had been dishonestly appropriated by assault and robbery.
In Scotland, possession of stolen goods is known as reset and includes property acquired by theft, robbery, fraud or embezzlement.
Watt also faces a separate charge of conducting himself in a disorderly manner on Letherby Drive.
It is claimed that he formed part of a disorderly crowd, ran through a crowd there and ran away from police officers.
Allegations go on to say Watt struggled with the officers, refused to cooperate with them when lawfully required to do so and committed breach of the peace.
Watt made no plea at a private hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court to both charges and was represented by his lawyer Declan O’Keefe.
Watt, who appeared from custody, was committed for further examination and was granted bail by Sheriff Paul Reid.
The sheriff ordered that as part of his bail conditions, Watt must not be within 500 metres of the stadium where Rangers are playing regulated football matches on the day of the game.
Top of page picture is of police officers on duty outside a Rangers football match.