A POSSILPARK man who sexually assaulted a female cop before an Old Firm game told officers "boys will be boys". 

Mark Halliday, of Stonyhurst Street, broke lockdown rules to travel to Carlisle with pals to watch Celtic face off against Rangers when drinking booze indoors was banned in Glasgow. 

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Glasgow Times:

On leaving the station, he split up from his friends to follow the officer and touch her bottom.

The predator was arrested later and told interviewing officers his actions were a joke and that "boys will be boys". 

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Glasgow Times: Cops prepare for Old Firm fans to descend on the city on October 17Cops prepare for Old Firm fans to descend on the city on October 17

Halliday was found guilty of sexual touching at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court and sentenced to a four-month community order with curfew. 

Magistrates ordered him to pay court costs of £620, a victim surcharge of £95 and £200 compensation to his victim, £915 in total. 

Inspector Garry Ashbridge said the attacker's "appalling attitude" towards woman was obvious from his actions. 

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Glasgow Times: Halliday also broke lockdown rules to travel to the city Halliday also broke lockdown rules to travel to the city

He added: "He clearly has no respect for his victim, refusing to plead guilty and attempting to play down a sexual assault as nothing more than a joke. Unwanted sexual behaviour of any kind has no place in society and absolutely no place on the railway, whether directed towards the public, rail staff or our officers.

“I would urge anyone subjected to, or witness to, unwanted sexual behaviour on the railway to text us on 61016. In an emergency, always call 999."