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Homeless man praised for standing for hours in 'freezing rain' to guard cash in unsecured car

A homeless man has called an "absolute gentleman" after he stood outside in "frozen rain" to guard a woman’s handbag containing nearly $700.

John McMonagle and Alyshia Orford attended Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday.

In a Facebook post, Mr McMonagle said he and Ms Orford were in the court for three hours while his car was parked outside.

When he returned to his car, police had surrounded it and told him he’d left a window down.

Homeless man John McGeown has been praised for guarding Alyshia Orford's (left) purse while she was inside a court house. Source: Facebook
Homeless man John McGeown has been praised for guarding Alyshia Orford's (left) purse while she was inside a court house. Source: Facebook

“Alyshia's handbag was in full view it had £400 (A$697) in the bag, I had £50 ($87) in the centre counsel,” Mr McMonagle writes.

But Mr McMonagle claims homeless man, John McGeown, noticed the window down, saw the handbag and stood outside the car for two and a half hours “in frozen rain” to make sure the money was safe.

“He was so cold he took the bag and rummaged through it to see if there was any ID,” Mr McMonagle writes.

“There wasn't, so the building behind was a solicitor’s office - Browns.

"He took the bag and held it to the receptionist and explained, also telling them there was £400 in the bag. He explained there was also money in the car.”

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Mr McMonagle said the receptionist rang they police and it’s at this point, he and Ms Orford stepped out of the court house.

He said while Mr McGeown “is homeless and alcohol-dependant” he’s also “an absolute gentleman”.

Mr McMonagle told Glasgow Live he “couldn’t believe that guy never took a penny”.

“To think he is sleeping on the streets tonight when he could have stolen the money and paid for a place to stay,” he said.

John McMonagle (left) said Mr McGeown is an 'absolute gentleman' for not stealing the money he left in his car. Source: Facebook
John McMonagle (left) said Mr McGeown is an 'absolute gentleman' for not stealing the money he left in his car. Source: Facebook

Mr McMonagle handed the homeless man $69, the Metro reports.

He also started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Mr McGeown and homeless people in Glasgow.

The page has raised more than $19,000 in just 48 hours.