By Fatma Younis
Three men from Northern Ireland have been jailed for a “ferocious” assault that left a Celtic supporter with bleeding on the brain following the Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow.
Attack outside stadium
The attack occurred on 8 March after Celtic won the match 4-2 on penalties. Scott Dragsness, 55, Ben Stanex, 24, both from Belfast, and Andrew Graham, 21, from Dundonald, knocked the 48-year-old victim to the ground as he tried to board a Celtic supporters’ bus. They then repeatedly kicked and stamped on his head and body, leaving him unconscious in the road. Prosecutors said the men shouted religious abuse during the assault, which was treated as a hate crime motivated by religious prejudice.
Victim hospitalized
The man was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where scans revealed a bleed on the brain. A police drone monitoring the dispersal of fans captured the entire incident, and a motorist stuck in traffic near the bus also recorded footage.
Sentencing and banning orders
All three pleaded guilty to assault to severe injury and danger of life at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 7 October. On Wednesday, Dragsness was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, while Stanex and Graham each received 12 months. They were also handed seven-year football banning orders, prohibiting them from entering any UK football ground or travelling to support any team.
Sheriff’s remarks
Sheriff Andrew McIntyre described the offence as a “concerted act of serious violence” that posed an obvious danger to the victim’s life. He said custodial sentences were necessary to protect the public and deter similar sectarian, football-related violence, adding that community sentences would be inadequate.
Prosecutor’s statement
Fraser Gibson, procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said football-related violence is a blight on Scotland’s communities and will not be tolerated. He emphasized that anyone involved in football-related disorder can expect to be held accountable using every available legal tool.
