A MAN found with a missing Glasgow Commonwealth games mascot statue was cleared today of theft.

Kevin Maguire, 39, was said to have stolen the five-foot figure and took it home to the city's Drumchapel.

Maguire claimed that he found it in a skip while renovating a pub between May and July 2021.

The dad added that he kept the statue for his two young daughters.

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Celtic fan Maguire stated he was unaware of the statue named Clyde Crane's background or £2,500 value.

He told Glasgow Sheriff Court: "I was going to colour it in green and white hoops in the back garden - that's how much it meant to me."

Maguire hit the headlines in 2020 after he was jailed for 10 months for punching three police horses outside Celtic Park.

Maguire "caused unnecessary suffering" to Nerston, Oban and Glasgow before a cup tie with Airdrie.

An officer claimed McGuire was "directing others" during the violent incident involving groups of supporters.

He added: “It was very aggressive and this was the worst I riot had ever seen.”

Maguire was also banned from attending all UK football matches for five years.

Maguire denied his latest charge of theft by finding and was found not guilty by Sheriff Brian Cameron.

He told him: "It won't be a mistake you will make again.

"I have heard matters and your evidence and I am satisfied that dishonest intent has not been proved."

Foreman Maguire earlier told the court in his evidence that an employee made him aware of the statue in the skip.

He stated that the statue was covered in "paint and rubbish."

Tony Callaghan, defending, asked Maguire what he then did.

Maguire replied: "I sent my wife a text saying I had this and that I was taking it home.

"To me it was just a cartoon character."

Maguire stated that children in his cul-de-sac, including his own, took pictures with the statue when he brought it home.

He added when police officers came to his door looking for the statue, he thought it was a "wind up."

Maguire claimed he was offered a £500 fixed penalty from the police which he refused.

Mr Callaghan asked why he did not pay the fine to be told: "I didn't steal it, so I am not paying any money."

Maguire stated he had "no interest" in the Commonwealth Games.

Mr Callaghan questioned Maguire on whether he was a sports fan.

He replied: "If it has green and white hoops on, I follow it, I'm a Celtic fan."

He then made the comment about colouring the statue in green and white hoops.

Maguire stated if he was aware of the statue's value and a financial reward for it he would have "handed it in and got the money."

Prosecutor Jennifer Sillars asked Maguire if he took steps to Google the statue or find out where it came from.

He said: "I just took it home, I didn't know who I would contact.

"I just thought it was a plastic item...what would I Google? 'Cartoon character'?"

Miss Sillars: "It didn't arise suspicion that someone would visit a skip with no connection to them and dump a five-foot item and you made no attempt to Google that or look it up?"

Maguire replied: "No."