Celtic letter bombs: Police want to trace three witnesses

POLICE investigating the letter bombs sent to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and two prominent fans of the club are seeking three potential witnesses.

Detectives said they are focussing their inquiry on a post box in Kilwinning in North Ayrshire.

They want to trace a teenage couple and a man who were seen walking nearby in Montgomerie Terrace at about 2pm on Friday.

Detective Chief Superintendent John Mitchell said: "As part of our ongoing investigation we have been conducting house-to-house inquiries in Montgomerie Terrace in Kilwinning and as a result, we have identified three people that we would like to speak to as potential witnesses.

"We are aware that they were seen in the area around 2pm on Friday April 15. One is described as a man wearing a baseball cap and glasses, walking a black and brown Staffordshire Terrier-type dog. The other two are a young couple who were also walking a Terrier-type puppy which has been described to us as being around eight weeks old.

"We would like these potential witnesses to come forward as they could have vital information which might help our investigation."

The man is described as being in his thirties and the couple are thought to be teenagers.

Yesterday Strathclyde Police confirmed the two suspect packages sent to Lennon, and those sent to his lawyer Paul McBride, QC, and former MSP Trish Godman were "designed to cause real harm to the person who opened them".

Det Ch Supt Mitchell added: "We can't stress enough that any information is of interest to us, something that may seem insignificant could actually be the piece of information we need. If you know something, get in touch. You can either contact your local police office, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"The person or persons who are responsible for this have not just caused massive distress and worry to the intended targets; they have also placed the people who handle the mail in harm's way. They must be caught and they must be brought to justice."

Strathclyde Police have also issued descriptions of the young couple.

The man was wearing a black hooded top while the woman is described as small and slim.