A MAN jailed for mocking the death of two police officers is behind bars for stealing six street sculptures.

Christopher McCann, 40, took the copper pine cone statues from Glasgow's Gorbals.

The 40 year-old teamed up with others to help rip them from the ground - including using a rope attached to a car.

Glasgow Times: Christopher McCannChristopher McCann (Image: Spindrift)

McCann was snared after the two-feet high acorn shaped sculptures - valued at £54,000 - were discovered in a scrapyard he had sold them to.

PC Natalie Pollok solved the crime following a dogged investigation which won her a Glasgow Community Champion Award last year.

The Glasgow Times reported in December 2022 that the theft of the sculptures had been a “huge blow to the community and the local artists who had worked hard to create the sculptures.”

Glasgow Times: PC Pollok with one of the statuesPC Pollok with one of the statues (Image: Newsquest)

The police officer dedicated weeks to the enquiry, carrying out door to door interviews and reviewing hours of CCTV footage, and she discovered nine of the popular statues had been removed - by brute force, using power tools and being dragged by a vehicle - over a four week period.

Presenting her with her award, Glasgow Times Editor Stacey Mullen said: “PC Pollok’s dedication to her community, and her determination to get to the bottom of this crime which had really upset local people, make her an outstanding police officer."

McCann’s lawyer said his client claimed he needed money at the time for Christmas.

He was jailed for 16 months at Glasgow Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to theft.

McCann made headlines in 2014 after being locked up for making fun of the death of two Greater Manchester constables Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone two years earlier at the hands of killer Dale Cregan

In a sick Facebook post, he also referenced Real IRA leader Alan Ryan who he described as "great". Ryan was shot dead in 2012.

McCann wrote: "Only two of yous should have been 22 of yous. Thats karma coming back to bite yous ratbags for removing the cross monument honouring the late great Alan Ryan.

"Hope more of yous get took out watch out for they housebreakings ha ha ha boom."

In this latest case, the court heard that the statues were in McNeil Street in the Gorbals.

Each of the six stolen statues were valued at £9,000.

On December 12, McCann and others were spotted by residents putting rope attached to a motor around one.

They intended to drive off at the time but were unable to pull the statue from the ground.

They returned later that night.

Prosecutor Jessica McGowan said: "McCann, with at least one other, was seen lifting a statue and trying to put it in the boot of the vehicle."

The thefts sparked a police probe and media appeal.

Officers were alerted on December 14 that six of the statues were within a Glasgow scrapyard.

Documents from the sale of the statues and CCTV was recovered which showed McCann with three of them.

There were two further visits where the statues were sold.

McCann was arrested on Christmas Eve 2021.

Phil McWilliams, defending, told the court: "He was not the brains behind this operation or the person getting the most benefit.

"It was an important period of time and he was unable to get lengthy employment.

"He was under pressure to obtain money for Christmas for his young children."

Sheriff Gerard Bonnar said a return to jail was the only option for McCann.

He said: "These are offences that are required to be discouraged."