Scots carer stamped on elderly step-dad's head after he couldn't pet sit for Old Firm game

A carer left her elderly step-father “looking like a smashed pumpkin” - amid claims he disrupted her plans to watch a Celtic and Rangers match.

Donna Maclean, 43, turned on John McNeil at his partner’s flat in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire on December 23, 2022.

The 70-year-old had been due to look after Maclean’s border collie labrador crossbreed dog Bella. But, when the date of his sunshine break to Tenerife changed, it left him unable to pet-sit.

John told Glasgow Sheriff Court: "She was not happy as it changed her plans. She wanted to go out with friends to watch the Celtic and Rangers game and socialise."

A raging and foul-mouthed Maclean was described as “stamping” on her step-dad’s head during the horror attack. It only ended when John’s 64-year-old partner Patricia Scott managed to kick her off.

Events took place 10 days before Rangers and Celtic drew 2-2 at Ibrox. Maclean has now been found guilty of assaulting John to his injury as well as behaving in a threatening or abusive manner. She had claimed to have been acting in self defence.

Maclean, also of Rutherglen, will return to the dock next month. The court heard from retiree Mr McNeil who stated that he was on the phone to Maclean on the night of the incident.

He said: “There was a change in arrangements that were made with myself and Patricia for going on holiday. I looked after Donna's dog and we had to let her know there were going to be changes in the arrangements for the holiday to Tenerife."

Mr McNeil stated that Maclean was "not pleased" and "right annoyed" during the phone call while she was on a night out with her mother.

Maclean attended Miss Scott's home where Mr McNeil had been around 11pm. Miss Scott briefly left the property as her son's dog who was staying with them had got out when opening the door.

Maclean then approached Mr McNeil who had been lying on the floor in the living room watching TV.

In his police statement, Mr McNeil stated: "She was shouting and swearing and called me a f***ing w***er."

Prosecutor Ewan Wilson-McKay asked COPD sufferer Mr McNeil what happened once Maclean was in the living room.

He replied: "I was not expecting what happened to happen - I got kicked in the chest which put me flat on the ground and she started stamping on my head. Patricia came back in and I was becoming weak. Patricia kicked her and she ran out the door."

Miss Scott told the court in her evidence that she called Miss McLean a "fat b****" and noticed that her partner was injured.

She added: "I saw his face - it was like a smashed pumpkin."

Mr Wilson-McKay: "What do you mean?"

Miss Scott: "It was covered in blood."

Mr McNeil contacted the police after the incident and officers attended the property.

Home carer of 15-years Maclean stated in her evidence that she had also called the police and claimed to have been assaulted.

However, she asked officers not to progress the matter as the pair "swung in dangerous circles" and she was "frightened of their friends." She stated that she earlier attended Miss Scott's home to "cut ties" with Mr McNeil amid claims he did not stick to a long running arrangement for joint care of the dog.

The Glasgow city health employee claimed she did not know how Mr McNeil came by his injuries and added that she was also hurt.

The matter was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Vincent Lunny who ordained Maclean to appear in the meantime.

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