Vile thugs jailed for ‘ferocious’ attack on football fan after Old Firm derby

Scott Dragsness, 55, and Ben Stanex, 24, both from Belfast, and Andrew Graham, 21, from Dundonald, had admitted to carrying out the attack outside Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow on March 8.

The three men, all from Northern Ireland, knocked their 48-year-old victim to the ground as he was trying to board a Celtic supporters’ bus.

The court heard how the three men stamped and kicked the man with such intensity that he was left lying unconscious in the road.

Verbal abuse related to his religion was shouted at the man.

Prosecutors told the court the attack was motivated by religious prejudice.

The victim of the brutal beating was taken to nearby Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where scans revealed a brain bleed.

A police drone monitoring the dispersal of fans from Ibrox Stadium captured the entirety of the attack.

A motorist stuck in traffic near the supporters’ bus captured a separate recording.

Dragsness, Stanex and Graham all pleaded guilty to a charge of assault to severe injury and danger of life at Glasgow Sheriff Court on October 7.

On Wednesday, the same court sentenced Dragsness to 18 months’ imprisonment, while Stanex and Graham each received 12-month sentences.

They have also received seven-year football banning orders, meaning they cannot enter any football ground in the UK or travel to support any team.

Sentencing, Sheriff Andrew McIntyre said they had each been involved in a “concerted act of serious violence”.

He said: “As part of the attack the complainer was punched and fell to the ground. Whilst he was on the ground the attack continued and he was repeatedly kicked on the head and body and he was stamped upon.

“Such was the ferocity of the attack that he lost consciousness and was seriously injured.

“To inflict such violence on a person was an inherently dangerous act which posed an obvious danger of the complainer’s life.”

The sheriff told the trio that community sentences would be “inadequate” and fail to reflect the seriousness of “sectarian, football-related violence”.

Fraser Gibson of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, who is procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said: “Football-related violence is a blight on Scotland’s communities. It will not be tolerated.

“The victim in this case was subjected to mindless sectarian thuggery by the three accused, who were visitors to the city.

“It should be understood that anyone who involves themselves in football-related disorder can expect to be held accountable by COPFS, Police Scotland and the courts using every tool available to us.”

Police Scotland Superintendent Derrick Johnston said: “This was a brutal attack and I am in no doubt that this will affect the victim for the rest of his life.

“The assault was witnessed by a number of members of public and captured on mobile phone footage at the time.

“Everyone has the right to attend a sporting event with their family and friends without having to witness this disgraceful and shameful behaviour and should be able to go home unharmed.

“We will not tolerate football-related violence and will ensure that those responsible are held to account.”