Shaun Rooney, the celebrated former St Johnstone player, has been cleared of charges related to the assault of a teenage girl and threatening behaviour in a Glasgow chip shop. The verdict, delivered at Glasgow Sheriff Court, concludes a trial that has drawn considerable attention, particularly among football enthusiasts in Perth and Kinross.
The incident in question occurred on September 19, 2024, at the Blue Lagoon chip shop on Queen Street, Glasgow. Rooney, aged 29 and currently a defender for Fleetwood Town, had been accused of repeatedly pushing and seizing the 18-year-old girl, as well as twisting her arm and kicking her body, causing injury. Additionally, he faced a separate charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the same location. This second charge alleged that he shouted, swore, acted aggressively, and uttered derogatory remarks, with the added aggravation of prejudice related to sexual orientation.
During the two-day trial, the court heard conflicting accounts of the events. Rooney, a figure well-known in Perth for his pivotal role in St Johnstone’s historic 2021 double cup victory, maintained his innocence throughout. His defence presented a narrative that differed significantly from the prosecution’s claims.
In his testimony, Rooney recounted his activities earlier on the day of the incident. He stated that he had attended a Celtic match and subsequently visited a casino, where he played blackjack. Over the course of the day, he consumed five pints of beer before proceeding to the chip shop alone to get food.
Upon entering the establishment, Rooney claimed he encountered Sophia Bruce, 18, and her friend Hussan Shah, 19, individuals he did not previously know. His version of events suggested that he believed the pair were attempting to jump the queue. To prevent this, he extended his arm to block their path. Following this, he alleged that Miss Bruce verbally abused him, calling him ‘ugly’. Rooney admitted to retaliating with a comment about her hairline.
The situation escalated further, according to Rooney, when Miss Bruce made another disparaging remark, referring to him as ‘skint’. He then claimed that as he turned away after receiving his food, he was kicked on the shin by Miss Bruce. Displaying a picture of a lump and scratch on his shin as evidence, he asserted that his subsequent kick towards Miss Bruce was an ‘accident’, a mere reaction to the pain and the unexpected contact.
Rooney also strongly refuted the accusation of making homophobic remarks. While the court previously heard an allegation that he called Mr Hassan ‘F*** off, gay boy’, Rooney insisted that he used the term ‘gimp’ instead. He highlighted his personal connection to the gay community, stating, “I have people in my family who are gay and if I said that a football match I would be sent off,” to underscore his denial.
Furthermore, he denied the other allegations of poking Miss Bruce on her upper chest or grabbing her arm, maintaining that his actions were a defensive reaction to being kicked.
The prosecutor, Caitlin McAllister, challenged Rooney on his explanation of the ‘accidental’ kick, pressing him to clarify how it could be accidental if it was a reaction. Rooney reiterated that it was an unintended consequence of his leg being sore.
Prior testimony from Miss Bruce described being left with a red mark after the alleged kick, which later developed into a bruise. She conveyed the significant impact of the alleged assault, stating she had ‘never felt so much impact before on my body’ and struggled to walk the following morning.
However, despite some reservations about Rooney’s testimony, Sheriff Joan Kerr ultimately found him not guilty on both charges. In her ruling, Sheriff Kerr acknowledged her impression that Rooney’s evidence was ‘not impressive’ and that his explanation of the ‘accidental kick’ seemed ‘much more like revenge rather than an accident’. She also noted that his account was not fully corroborated by the police officer who described him as being in an ‘aggressive state’.
Crucially, Sheriff Kerr highlighted the ‘many discrepancies with the Crown witnesses’. Due to these inconsistencies, the court concluded there was ‘reasonable doubt about what happened on this occasion’. This legal principle meant that Rooney was given ‘the benefit of that doubt’, resulting in the not guilty verdict.
For Perth and Kinross football fans, this outcome closes a chapter on a concerning period for a player who brought immense joy to the region. Rooney’s goals in both the League and Scottish Cup finals of 2021 remain cherished memories for supporters of Perth’s beloved team, St Johnstone. His career saw a move to St Mirren after his successful spell in Perth, from which he was released following these allegations, before finding a new club with Fleetwood Town, where he continues his professional career.
The case underscores the complexities of legal proceedings and the high bar for proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt, even when conflicting accounts are presented.
The incident in question occurred on September 19, 2024, at the Blue Lagoon chip shop on Queen Street, Glasgow. Rooney, aged 29 and currently a defender for Fleetwood Town, had been accused of repeatedly pushing and seizing the 18-year-old girl, as well as twisting her arm and kicking her body, causing injury. Additionally, he faced a separate charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the same location. This second charge alleged that he shouted, swore, acted aggressively, and uttered derogatory remarks, with the added aggravation of prejudice related to sexual orientation.
During the two-day trial, the court heard conflicting accounts of the events. Rooney, a figure well-known in Perth for his pivotal role in St Johnstone’s historic 2021 double cup victory, maintained his innocence throughout. His defence presented a narrative that differed significantly from the prosecution’s claims.
In his testimony, Rooney recounted his activities earlier on the day of the incident. He stated that he had attended a Celtic match and subsequently visited a casino, where he played blackjack. Over the course of the day, he consumed five pints of beer before proceeding to the chip shop alone to get food.
Upon entering the establishment, Rooney claimed he encountered Sophia Bruce, 18, and her friend Hussan Shah, 19, individuals he did not previously know. His version of events suggested that he believed the pair were attempting to jump the queue. To prevent this, he extended his arm to block their path. Following this, he alleged that Miss Bruce verbally abused him, calling him ‘ugly’. Rooney admitted to retaliating with a comment about her hairline.
The situation escalated further, according to Rooney, when Miss Bruce made another disparaging remark, referring to him as ‘skint’. He then claimed that as he turned away after receiving his food, he was kicked on the shin by Miss Bruce. Displaying a picture of a lump and scratch on his shin as evidence, he asserted that his subsequent kick towards Miss Bruce was an ‘accident’, a mere reaction to the pain and the unexpected contact.
Rooney also strongly refuted the accusation of making homophobic remarks. While the court previously heard an allegation that he called Mr Hassan ‘F*** off, gay boy’, Rooney insisted that he used the term ‘gimp’ instead. He highlighted his personal connection to the gay community, stating, “I have people in my family who are gay and if I said that a football match I would be sent off,” to underscore his denial.
Furthermore, he denied the other allegations of poking Miss Bruce on her upper chest or grabbing her arm, maintaining that his actions were a defensive reaction to being kicked.
The prosecutor, Caitlin McAllister, challenged Rooney on his explanation of the ‘accidental’ kick, pressing him to clarify how it could be accidental if it was a reaction. Rooney reiterated that it was an unintended consequence of his leg being sore.
Prior testimony from Miss Bruce described being left with a red mark after the alleged kick, which later developed into a bruise. She conveyed the significant impact of the alleged assault, stating she had ‘never felt so much impact before on my body’ and struggled to walk the following morning.
However, despite some reservations about Rooney’s testimony, Sheriff Joan Kerr ultimately found him not guilty on both charges. In her ruling, Sheriff Kerr acknowledged her impression that Rooney’s evidence was ‘not impressive’ and that his explanation of the ‘accidental kick’ seemed ‘much more like revenge rather than an accident’. She also noted that his account was not fully corroborated by the police officer who described him as being in an ‘aggressive state’.
Crucially, Sheriff Kerr highlighted the ‘many discrepancies with the Crown witnesses’. Due to these inconsistencies, the court concluded there was ‘reasonable doubt about what happened on this occasion’. This legal principle meant that Rooney was given ‘the benefit of that doubt’, resulting in the not guilty verdict.
For Perth and Kinross football fans, this outcome closes a chapter on a concerning period for a player who brought immense joy to the region. Rooney’s goals in both the League and Scottish Cup finals of 2021 remain cherished memories for supporters of Perth’s beloved team, St Johnstone. His career saw a move to St Mirren after his successful spell in Perth, from which he was released following these allegations, before finding a new club with Fleetwood Town, where he continues his professional career.
The case underscores the complexities of legal proceedings and the high bar for proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt, even when conflicting accounts are presented.