Three Northern Ireland men jailed for 'mindless sectarian thuggery' after Old Firm cup tie.
Prosecutors told the court the attack outside Ibrox was motivated by religious prejudice
Three men from Northern Ireland who kicked and stamped on a man's head and body after the Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox have been jailed.
The 48-year-old victim was knocked to the ground as he tried to board a Celtic supporters' bus after the match in March.
Prosecutors told Glasgow Sheriff Court the assault was a hate crime motivated by religious prejudice.
Sentences and banning orders
Scott Dragsness, 55, and Ben Stanex, 24, both from Belfast, and Andrew Graham, 21, from Dundonald, all pleaded guilty to assault to severe injury and danger of life.
Dragsness was sentenced to 18 months in prison today.
Stanex and Graham were each sentenced to 12 months.
All three were also given seven-year Football Banning Orders.
The orders ban them from every football ground in the UK and from travelling to support any team.
What the court heard
A police drone monitoring fans leaving Ibrox stadium captured the entire assault.
A further recording was made by a driver who was stuck in traffic near the supporters' bus.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said the men kicked and stamped on the victim with such ferocity that he was left unconscious in the road.
He was taken to the nearby Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where scans revealed a bleed on the brain.
Prosecutor's response
Fraser Gibson, Procurator Fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin at COPFS, 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."
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