St Mirren footballer Paul McGowan admits kicking police
A Scottish Premiership footballer has pleaded guilty to assaulting two police officers.
St Mirren midfielder Paul McGowan, 26, admitted kicking the two officers on the body in Airdrie and at Coatbridge police office on 11 August.
Airdrie Sheriff Court heard how McGowan, who lives in the North Lanarkshire town, has a previous conviction for police assault.
Sheriff Petra Collins deferred sentence and called for reports.
The court heard how McGowan admitted kicking PC Edward Gilmartin on the body, and repeatedly kicking Sgt Tony Fitzpatrick on the body.
He had not guilty pleas accepted to kicking Special Constable Martine McNee on the body and acting in a threatening and abusing manner likely to cause fear and alarm.
Sheriff Collins deferred sentence on McGowan until January.
McGowan started his career with Celtic, where he made his debut in 2007.
He failed to break into the first team and was sent out on loan several times.
The midfielder spent the 2006/07 season with Morton, where he won the Second Division title and was also named SFL young player of the month for January 2007.
McGowan then spent the second half of the 2008/09 season with Hamilton Academicals in the SPL.
He moved on loan to SPL side, St Mirren, for the 2010/11 season.
After this, Celtic released him from his contract and he signed with St Mirren permanently.
In December 2011, he won the SPL player of the month award.