Post by Livi News on Jul 1, 2016 15:20:43 GMT 1
Livingston fan Ryan Kelly lost his temper after being accused of shouting abuse at players and throwing a bottle during the game.
A football fan has been fined after chucking a cup of Bovril over a fellow supporter at a Dumbarton match.
Livingston fan Ryan Kelly, who is the son of a founding member of the team’s fan club, lost his temper after being accused of shouting abuse at players and throwing a bottle during the game.
The 21-year-old first offender was in the dock at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week after pleading guilty to throwing the cup of liquid, making threats and breaching the peace.
It also emerged that Kelly was only arrested after going to a police station to protest his innocence at comments being made online following the match.
The incident took place on January 30 this year during a game between Dumbarton and Livingston teams at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium .
Scott Simpson, fiscal depute, said Kelly threw the remains of the cup following a “heated argument” at the beginning of the second half.
Stewards told him to leave, which he did, but he challenged the fans to fight as he walked out, shouting ‘come on outside then’,
Defending Kelly, lawyer Brian MacGuire told the court his client was minding his own business enjoying his half time snack when Livingston fans wrongly accused him of shouting at the Livingston players.
He explained: “He bought Bovril, juice and a pie and at half time and he was sitting minding his own business. Something happened which would appear to relate to some abuse given from Livingston fans to Livingston players. He had nothing to do with that.
“Around this time, a bottle was broken and it was alleged that Mr Kelly was responsible for that. He was not and was protesting his innocence. The person concerned then became somewhat irate, stood up and came over the seats towards him.”
Kelly responded by slinging the remains of Bovril over him, before “matters then escalated very quickly”.
Mr MacGuire continued: “He was then pulled forward and assaulted. He was pulled over the seat, his face was being clattered against the concrete. He attempted to get up and was kicked in the shin and forehead. He was the victim of a substantial assault.”
Kelly left the stadium but later contacted police after reading claims about him online in relation to a racial comment which was allegedly made.
Mr MacGuire went on: “His response was to go immediately to the police station to protest his innocence and explain the situation. Mr Kelly, having gone to the police station to protest his innocence, was then put in a cell.
“There was further discussion and then this situation developed. If he hadn’t have gone to the police station, I rather suspect he would not be before my lord today.
“Mr Kelly is a first offender, a single man who resides with his parents and is in full-time employment.
“His father was the founding member of the Livingston supporters club.
“Mr Kelly has been a Livingston fan since a young boy and regularly attended matches with his father.”
The court also heard that Kelly originally faced a more serious charge but the crown accepted his guilty plea to a reduced charge.
Addressing Kelly, Sheriff Maxwell Hendry said: “At the start of this process you were facing a potentially serious charge and there could have been serious consequences. However, the crown has accepted a plea to a much less serious charge. I can deal with you more leniently than I could have done.”
Kelly, of Parkhead Gardens in West Calder, was fined £100.
Read more at www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/football-fan-fined-after-bovril-8317731#46id0IVdexLvTXSl.99
A football fan has been fined after chucking a cup of Bovril over a fellow supporter at a Dumbarton match.
Livingston fan Ryan Kelly, who is the son of a founding member of the team’s fan club, lost his temper after being accused of shouting abuse at players and throwing a bottle during the game.
The 21-year-old first offender was in the dock at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week after pleading guilty to throwing the cup of liquid, making threats and breaching the peace.
It also emerged that Kelly was only arrested after going to a police station to protest his innocence at comments being made online following the match.
The incident took place on January 30 this year during a game between Dumbarton and Livingston teams at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium .
Scott Simpson, fiscal depute, said Kelly threw the remains of the cup following a “heated argument” at the beginning of the second half.
Stewards told him to leave, which he did, but he challenged the fans to fight as he walked out, shouting ‘come on outside then’,
Defending Kelly, lawyer Brian MacGuire told the court his client was minding his own business enjoying his half time snack when Livingston fans wrongly accused him of shouting at the Livingston players.
He explained: “He bought Bovril, juice and a pie and at half time and he was sitting minding his own business. Something happened which would appear to relate to some abuse given from Livingston fans to Livingston players. He had nothing to do with that.
“Around this time, a bottle was broken and it was alleged that Mr Kelly was responsible for that. He was not and was protesting his innocence. The person concerned then became somewhat irate, stood up and came over the seats towards him.”
Kelly responded by slinging the remains of Bovril over him, before “matters then escalated very quickly”.
Mr MacGuire continued: “He was then pulled forward and assaulted. He was pulled over the seat, his face was being clattered against the concrete. He attempted to get up and was kicked in the shin and forehead. He was the victim of a substantial assault.”
Kelly left the stadium but later contacted police after reading claims about him online in relation to a racial comment which was allegedly made.
Mr MacGuire went on: “His response was to go immediately to the police station to protest his innocence and explain the situation. Mr Kelly, having gone to the police station to protest his innocence, was then put in a cell.
“There was further discussion and then this situation developed. If he hadn’t have gone to the police station, I rather suspect he would not be before my lord today.
“Mr Kelly is a first offender, a single man who resides with his parents and is in full-time employment.
“His father was the founding member of the Livingston supporters club.
“Mr Kelly has been a Livingston fan since a young boy and regularly attended matches with his father.”
The court also heard that Kelly originally faced a more serious charge but the crown accepted his guilty plea to a reduced charge.
Addressing Kelly, Sheriff Maxwell Hendry said: “At the start of this process you were facing a potentially serious charge and there could have been serious consequences. However, the crown has accepted a plea to a much less serious charge. I can deal with you more leniently than I could have done.”
Kelly, of Parkhead Gardens in West Calder, was fined £100.
Read more at www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/football-fan-fined-after-bovril-8317731#46id0IVdexLvTXSl.99
