A infamous soccer hooligan who travelled to Ukraine to affix its armed forces and struggle towards the Russian invasion has returned residence.
Robert Grady spent greater than a month in Ukraine after becoming a member of up within the days after the battle broke out.
The 61-year-old even took half in a recruitment video wielding an assault rifle alongside his new comrades and urging different volunteers to enlist.
The reformed Hibs informal posted Fb messages from the frontline telling buddies: “I intend to kill as many as I can.”
Grady used social media to inform buddies he’d arrived again within the UK final week.
He additionally informed how he was recovering from a bout of Covid-19 and a viral an infection.
The previous thug supplied help for fellow fighter Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, who was taken prisoner by Russian troops within the besieged metropolis of Mariupol.
He wrote: “Please can everybody pray for British volunteer captured by the Russians in Ukraine. God bless him.”
Grady constructed up a repute as a hooligan linked to the Easter Highway membership from the early Nineteen Eighties.
He was a member of the Capital Metropolis Service (CCS) and obtained a soccer banning order as not too long ago as 2014 for participating in a avenue brawl after a cup ultimate.
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Grady made his approach to Ukraine after its president Volodoymr Zelensky appealed to foreigners to affix an “worldwide legion” to defend his nation.
Concerning his navy expertise, he informed how he did “a while within the TA paras within the 70s and 80s”.
In a 30-second video which appeared on-line final month, Grady was proven wearing camouflage physique armour and holding the assault weapon following his arrival in Ukraine.
Standing behind him had been two different armed males believed to be Ukrainian fighters.
He informed the digicam: “My identify is Rob. I’m a 61-year-old grandfather from Scotland.
“I’ve travelled to Ukraine to assist Ukraine struggle the Russians.
“I’ll do something I can in my energy to save lots of Ukraine from Putin.
“All people on the earth please assist Ukraine. They want everyone to assist, Volunteers, please.”.
Grady posted that he was in Kiev and informed how Russian forces had been a mere 30km away from him at one level.
After arriving again within the UK, he stated he’d heard rumours of $10,000 bounties being supplied to Russian troopers for the seize of non-Ukrainian fighters “lifeless or alive”.
His buddies had been overjoyed to listen to of his return and posted messages on his Fb web page.
One wrote: “So glad you’re residence now. I can cease worrying on a regular basis that you're alive.”
One other stated: “Good to listen to you’re again protected and sound.”
A 3rd posted: “You’re wanting nice. So glad your again. We are able to sleep higher.”
In 2014, Grady was certainly one of six males who had been banned from soccer matches for a complete of eight-and-a-half years following a brawl earlier than a Ramsdens Cup ultimate match.
Nineteen males had been charged over the football-related dysfunction that erupted in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket space.
The sport between Rangers and Raith Rovers came about at Easter Highway, with the Fife membership successful 1-0.
He was hit with a one-year soccer banning order at Edinburgh Sheriff Courtroom over the incident.