A SERVING Scottish police officer has been fined after being found to have breached Covid restrictions by joining the 15,000 Rangers fans who rioted in Glasgow’s George Square.
Constable Ross Fowler, aged 23, was off-duty when he joined thousands of other fans to celebrate the club's Scottish league title on Saturday May 15, according to reports in the Daily Record.
Fowler, who is reportedly based in North Lanarkshire, travelled into Glasgow city centre to celebrate Rangers’ victory in the league.
The officer was identified from pictures posted online.
READ MORE: Kirsty Strickland: There was nothing normal about Rangers fans' siege of Glasgow
The police officer has been given a fixed penalty fine and is facing disciplinary action by Police Scotland's Professional Standards Department.
A police source told the Daily Record: “Cops were warned by bosses not to attend if they were off-duty because we are still under Level 3 restrictions."
They added: “The fact he is right in the thick of the crowd celebrating also puts his team at risk when he returns to work. He’s been very silly.”
It has been reported that Fowler has not been suspended or faced further action beyond the fine at this time.
Five police officers were injured, including having bones and teeth broken, amid the “rising disorder” which saw 28 people arrested. Police Scotland said “many more” arrests would follow over the coming weeks as investigations progressed.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon 'disgusted' by Rangers fans who 'rampaged' in Glasgow
Nicola Sturgeon condemned the crowds who had trashed the city’s streets and were heard singing openly sectarian and racist songs.
The First Minister tweeted: “To say I’m utterly disgusted by the Rangers fans who rampaged through the city would be an understatement.
“I’m also angry on behalf of every law-abiding citizen. In normal times, the violence amd vandalism, and the vile anti-Catholic prejudice that was on display, would have been utterly unacceptable.
“But mid-pandemic, in a city with cases on the rise, it was also selfish beyond belief.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We were made aware of images circulating online and following inquiries, a 23-year-old man was given a fixed penalty notice for breaching coronavirus regulations.
“The circumstances will be considered by the professional standards department."
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