KEVIN MAGUIRE OF GLASGOW CONVICTED OF POLICE HORSE ATTACKS AND RIOT ENGAGEMENT

Kevin Maguire, born on June 12, 1982, and residing on Muirdrum Avenue in Cardonald, Glasgow, G52 3AP, was convicted in 2020 for his involvement in a violent riot. Known as 'Magwa', the notorious sectarian aggressor owns Casey’s Cafe on Elderpark Street in Govan, Glasgow. During a pre-match disturbance ahead of a Scottish Cup tie against Airdrie, Maguire participated in an attack on police officers and their mounted units.

Maguire, a father of four with prior convictions for football-related violence, claimed during his trial that he was an innocent bystander. However, Sheriff John McCormick refuted this, stating, “You were in fact one of the ringleaders of this mob.”

Sergeant Mark Stewart, who attended the match, described the incident as the worst riot he had witnessed. He recounted, “When I arrived, Airdrie fans were being blocked from entering the ground by Celtic supporters. Families attempting to get in faced bricks, missiles, spitting, and lit cigarettes being thrown. It was very aggressive, and this was the worst riot I had ever seen.”

Maguire’s lawyer appealed for leniency, citing his client’s family responsibilities. Nonetheless, Sheriff McCormick sentenced him to prison, emphasizing Maguire’s active role in the violence. The officer testified that Maguire was “directing others” and personally attacked three police horses outside the stadium. He explained, “I asked him to move, and he punched my horse Oban on the muzzle, which caused Oban to react. It was a full-blown punch, and he also punched police horse Glasgow on the face.”

Additionally, Maguire was later identified attacking police horse Nerston. Sergeant Stewart described him as a “prime mover” orchestrating the assault against police forces.

Representing Maguire, lawyer Michael McKeown argued for a lesser sentence, citing his client’s familial duties and employment. “He has significant family responsibilities, caring for his young baby and three other children. He works as an engineer earning £600 a week, and his job remains open. He also has a business interest in a cafe,” McKeown stated.

The court also learned that Maguire, during a report by social workers, admitted to being on an alcohol binge and having no memory of the incident. It was noted that he was previously banned from all UK football grounds and was on bail at the time of the police horse attack in January 2019.

Maguire was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to police horses Nerston, Oban, and Glasgow, assaulting two police officers, and acting in a threatening and abusive manner. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison and banned from all UK football grounds for an additional five years.

As of September 2022, Maguire, now residing in Drumchapel, north Glasgow, appeared in court charged with stealing Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games mascot, with a trial scheduled for January 2023.