A 29-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges relating to an alleged assault on a delivery driver during an anti-immigration demonstration in Glasgow. Callum Thomson appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court accused of striking Muhammad Yaqoob with a traffic cone on Bridge Street on 25 July 2025, and of behaving in a disorderly manner elsewhere in the city on the same day.
According to a report from LBC, police only formally charged the 29-year-old after the incident, marking a shift from an open investigation to a court case. Officers had spent several weeks carrying out what they described as an extensive inquiry before the charge was brought, the same report noted.
Court documents allege that Thomson threw a traffic cone at Yaqoob, striking him and causing injury. The complaint states:
threw a traffic cone and did cause it to strike [Yaqoob] on the body to his injury.
Prosecutors further allege that Thomson was wearing a balaclava and gloves during the incident, and that he was part of a disorderly crowd that approached police cordons and confronted officers on duty.
What is Thomson accused of shouting?
The charge sheet alleges that Thomson repeatedly shouted, swore, chanted and made racially offensive remarks while part of the crowd. Prosecutor Jason Grant told the court:
He allegedly formed part of an anti-immigration group and targeted a delivery driver as part of that crowd.
Thomson, who lives in Pollokshields, denied both charges. Sheriff Mary Shields granted him bail on the condition that he does not contact Yaqoob, and fixed a further hearing for next month.
How has the incident affected the victim?
Footage of the alleged assault circulated widely on social media, drawing significant public attention to the case, according to BBC Scotland. Yaqoob told the broadcaster he had felt too intimidated to leave his home or return to work following the incident.
How big was the demonstration?
Around 1,700 people gathered on Glasgow Green on 25 July, in what began as an anti-racism protest before counter-demonstrators arrived at the park. The wider event has been referred to as the "Unite the Clans" rally alongside its counter-protest, per the LBC report cited above.
Police said that afterwards, separate groups engaged in violence, disorder, intimidation and hate-motivated offences at multiple locations across Glasgow. Fifteen people were arrested on the day, on charges including assault, possession of offensive weapons, breach of the peace, obstruction and resisting arrest, according to the LBC report.
What happens next?
Police Scotland said a major investigation team continues to work to identify further suspects, with additional arrests expected as the inquiry progresses. Officers are also reviewing CCTV, mobile phone and dashcam footage gathered in connection with the Bridge Street assault, according to an STV News report. Thomson's case is due to return to court next month.
Key Facts
- Callum Thomson, 29, of Pollokshields, denies assaulting Muhammad Yaqoob and disorderly conduct.
- The alleged assault took place on Bridge Street, Glasgow, on 25 July 2025.
- About 1,700 people attended the Glasgow Green protest and counter-protest that day.
- Fifteen people were arrested on the day for offences including assault and breach of the peace.
- Police say further arrests are expected as their investigation continues.
