4 days ago
Two thugs who helped ambush rival football fans in pub banned from games for two years
Shocking video footage showed bottles being thrown into Airdrie's West End Bar where St Johnstone fans had gathered before a Scottish Cup tie against Airdrieonians.
Two thugs who helped ambush rival football fans in a pub have been banned from attending games for two years.
A court heard A irdrieonians supporter Cameron Patey "got a buzz" out of causing trouble.
Shocking video footage showed bottles being thrown into the town's West End Bar where St Johnstone fans had gathered before a Scottish Cup tie against the Diamonds.
Airdrie Sheriff Court heard a group of home fans confronted the Perth side's supporters and a fight spilled on to the street.
Patey, 22, Ryan Lawrence, 29, and Nathan Dunsmore, 26, admitted causing a breach of the peace by fighting, shouting and swearing on January 20 last year.
Annette Ward, prosecuting, said Airdrie fans were seen on CCTV leaving another pub and heading for the West End Bar before the match.
She told the court: "They had their hoods up and their faces partially covered with scarves. The three accused were part of the group.
"A large group of St Johnstone fans were already inside the West End Bar.
"As soon as the Airdrie supporters arrived there was an altercation that turned into a scuffle between the two groups.
"This quickly spilled on to the street and in the course of that an individual was assaulted by two unidentified males."
The court heard that a fourth Airdrie fan was seen on CCTV picking up two bottles and throwing them into the pub.
He was also charged but has since died.
Patey has a previous conviction which resulted in him being given a football banning order.
Lawrence also has football-related previous convictions.
The court heard that, when asked about his role in the trouble, Patey told a social worker: "It's an escape. It gives me a buzz."
But defence lawyer Tony Linden said: "He now describes his conduct as pathetic. His days of attending football matches and seeking out trouble are gone.
"He plans to leave the Airdrie area and has an offer of employment with a starting salary of £40,000."
Fraser McKinnon, defending Lawrence, said he accepted responsibility for his behaviour, but the lawyer added: "From the CCTV, it appears his involvement was at the lower end of the scale."
Nicky Matteo, for Dunsmore, told the court: "This happened at a time when he was drinking and taking drugs to excess."
Sheriff Joseph Hughes imposed two-year football banning orders on Patey, of School Quadrant, and Lawrence, of Park Street, both Airdrie.
These will cover all regulated games in the UK and the pair are also banned from watching televised football in licensed premises.
The sheriff said: "I'm satisfied this offence was related to the football match that day. It matters not if it happened before the game started.
"It is appropriate to impose these banning orders to prevent violence or disorder at, or in connection with, football matches."
Patey was also warned that he must behave himself over the next nine months while Lawrence will be under supervision for two years and electronically tagged for nine months, meaning he's confined to his home between 7pm and 7am each day.
Sentence on Dunsmore, who is in custody on other matters, was deferred until December.
