Daily Record
Celtic star Leigh Griffiths accused of stalking next-door neighbour and taking pics of her and family
Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has been accused of
stalking his next-door neighbour.
Mum-of-two Jennifer McLeish has told
police that the ex-Scotland star has been secretly filming and photographing her and her family.
Griffiths is already facing police investigations into “inappropriate” messages he sent to girls, including a 15-year-old, via social media.
Cosmetic nurse Jennifer, who lives in the house next to the Parkhead star in the upmarket village of Bothwell in Lanarkshire, is understood to have told officers she believes the footballer has been spying on her on behalf of a third party.
The 35-year-old is the daughter of multi-millionaire railway tycoon Alan McLeish, 61, who last year invested £1million in Rangers.
Jennifer has consulted lawyers to obtain an interdict to prevent Griffiths from being near her or contacting her. She also last week lodged a complaint with Celtic over the player’s alleged behaviour.
The allegations come only months after her £500,000 home was deliberately set on fire, forcing the family to flee in the middle of the night.
Jennifer, who has daughters aged 13 and seven, also shut down her beauty and cosmetics business in Dennistoun, Glasgow, after it was targeted in a ram-raid.
A source said: “Jennifer is a young mum looking after two daughters on her own.
“One of the girls is a teenager and is much more aware of what is going on around her than her younger sister.
“Jennifer is very protective of her family and was sickened when she was told Griffiths had been spying on her for other people.
“She can’t understand why anyone would do that, especially when her daughters had to run out of the house in the middle of the night during a fire. Jennifer has tried to be neighbourly with Griffiths so this information came as a huge shock.”
Celtic sent Griffiths home from their training camp in Wales last week over claims he sent messages to a schoolgirl while the club “looked into the matter”.
He now faces another internal investigation over his conduct, which sources say could result in his contract being terminated.
The source added: “Jennifer contacted Celtic and has given them a statement. They appear to be taking her claims seriously.
The police have also met her and promised to investigate.
“But Jennifer is so worried that she has already spoken to lawyers about getting an interdict which prevents Griffiths being anywhere near her or her family.
“She has been on high alert about people around her since the fire and believes Griffiths’ alleged behaviour is a threat to her.”
Last December, Jennifer shut the doors on her House of Aesthetics beauty business – which specialised in botox, lashes and other cosmetic procedures – after the shop was ram-raided.
The attack came a month after her home was firebombed.
Her £70,000 Range Rover was blown up by a petrol bomb, which then set fire to the roof of her house and she was forced to flee the property.
Jennifer is believed to have confronted Griffiths’ dental nurse partner Caitlyn Melville over the claims the striker had been filming her from his home.
Caitlyn, 28, is believed to have denied father-of-five Griffiths had been taking photos but added: “It wouldn’t be illegal if he was.”
Griffiths had been dating Caitlyn for two years before they moved into the house next to Jennifer, which boasts a sprawling garden emblazoned with LG 9.
Jennifer’s dad Alan is one of Scotland’s wealthiest men. The businessman sold railway contractor firm QTS, based in Strathaven, Lanarkshire, for £80million in 2018.
He had set up the firm with a £300 loan from his mum Anne. Jennifer’s stepmum Phyllis, who split from Alan, sits on the board of Kilmarnock FC.
Police have yet to make arrests following last year’s attacks on Jennifer’s home and business.
Police last week visited the home of the girl Griffiths is accused of messaging on Instagram and took a statement to establish if any laws had been broken.
In one Instagram message the 30-year-old allegedly called the schoolgirl “ya cutie”.
He also sent her camera emojis.
She said: “What do you mean? x.”
Griffiths then replied: “Have a think to it n get back to me x.”
The player, who has just signed a one-year deal at Celtic following the arrival of new manager Ange Postecoglou, could not be contacted for comment yesterday.
Jennifer refused to comment.
Police Scotland said: “Following a report to police, inquiries were carried out and no criminality has been established at this time. Advice was given to the reporter.”
Griffiths’ agent Tam Byrne said he wouldn’t comment.
Celtic declined to comment.
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