A GIANT Michael Myers ad sparked local outrage after being put up after a teenager was “stabbed to death on a Glasgow street”.
The advert for Big Duck Bathrooms featured a huge blow up version of the masked serial killer from the Halloween film franchise brandishing a blood-stained knife.
The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene on Clarendon Street[/caption]
Amen Teklay tragically died last week[/caption]
His death has sparked an outpouring of grief[/caption]
Forensics at the scene in the north of Glasgow[/caption]
Big Duck Bathroom boss Cornelius Kelly[/caption]
The advert was put up on a traffic island in Dennistoun and had “we murder all competitors’ prices” written across the front.
But the stunt was branded “insensitive” by locals in the aftermath of teenager Amen Teklay allegedly being stabbed in St George’s Cross last week.
The 15-year-old’s death sparked an outpouring of grief as hundreds gathered to pay tribute to him over the weekend.
A 14-year-old boy has been charged in connection with Amen’s death and appeared in court this week.
City councillor Bailie Anthony Carroll blasted the ad after being contacted by local residents, reports STV News.
The Greens councillor, who represents Dennistoun in the east end, said: “To put up a massive serial killer inflatable for no good reason feels so insensitive.
“It is in such bad taste. It should not be up after an alleged murder took place in the city.
“It is at the cost of local integrity.
“The displays have become increasingly audacious.”
Big Duck Bathrooms boss Cornelius Kelly soon took down the serial killer ad.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “If it (the display) has offended anyone I will take it down.
“I wouldn’t upset anyone who has lost anyone. It is just advertising.
“I wasn’t aware of the recent death of a teenager in the other end of the city.
“I never thought for one moment the advert would offend someone. I have now removed it.”
Teen’s dad calls for ‘end to violence’
BY ZOE PHILLIPS AND HARRY WILLIAMSON
THE heartbroken dad of tragic schoolboy Amen Teklay has called for an end to “violence” after his son was “stabbed to death” on a Glasgow street.
The teenager’s death rocked the north Glasgow community and triggered an outpouring of grief and tributes.
Members of the community gathered in Danes Drive Park, next to the Kingsway Flats, to remember the “remarkable” schoolboy.
A statement from Amen’s dad was read to the gathered crowd.
It said: “I want to express my gratitude for your support.
“We are gathered in sorrow, mourning the tragic loss of my son who was a proud member of this community.
“Despite the overwhelming sadness, we are comforted by the outpouring of love from friends, community, people of Glasgow and the police.
“Amen was a remarkable young man loved by everyone who knew him.
“This should not happen to anyone.
“This city is our home and it is only through working together we can make it safe for everyone.
“This cycle of violence must be stopped. Please let us work together to ensure this does not happen again.”
Big Duck Bathrooms hit the headlines earlier this year over another advert.
Kelly – who dons a top hat and fur coat alongside his adverts – told how he received a barrage of abuse after a 10ft inflatable duck egg fell over and burst during Storm Eowyn.
The damage sent millions of foam beads flying around the streets of Dennistoun.
But he was soon met with concerns that the beads would block drains and harm local wildlife.
Mr Kelly told The Scottish Sun last month: “A lot of people not happy about it, very angry about it.
“It was very messy and a lot of people were concerned for the wildlife, the drains, basically the environment.
“I tried to assure them that there’s biofoam beads that we bought and they’re very environmentally friendly.
“We had the mess out front cleared up in around half an hour – the rest is just stuff which has been blown about Dennistoun which we’ve been working on for over a week to get it cleared up.”
He added: “They’ve said a lot of horrible things, a lot of horrible things.
“They were out with everything bar coming down with their pitchforks to string me up with the way it was sounding.”
The advert featured an inflatable Michael Myers from Halloween[/caption]
