Three men jailed for 'sectarian' attack on Celtic fan after Old Firm clash

Three men from Northern Ireland have been jailed for attacking a Celtic fan after a an Old Firm clash at Ibrox which culminated in a mass pitch invasion.

Scott Dragsness, 55, Andrew Graham, 21, and Ben Stanex, 24, left the 48-year-old fan with a bleed on the brain after targeting him as he tried to board a supporters' bus after the Scottish Cup tie on 8 March.

The three all pled guilty to assault to danger of life, with the procurator fiscal describing the crime as "mindless sectarian thuggery".

Dragsness, from Belfast, was sentenced to 18 months in prison while Stanex, from Belfast, and Graham, from Dundonald, both received 12 months.

All three have been banned from attending football matches in the UK for seven years.

The Scottish Cup quarter-final tie made headlines when fans from both sides ran onto the pitch after Celtic won on penalties.

Flares were thrown and police said officers and stewards were met with "extreme hostility and violence" when they formed a barricade to separate supporters.

Dozens of arrests were made in connection with the disorder - one of several cases of crowd trouble in Scottish football this year.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that Dragsness, Graham and Stanex knocked the man to the ground before stamping on his head and body.

Prosecutors said the violent attack was "a hate crime motivated by religious prejudice".

Police said the assault was witnessed by a number of members of public and captured on mobile phone footage

Supt Derrick Johnston said the force condemned football-related violence, adding: "This was a brutal attack and I am in no doubt that this will affect the victim for the rest of his life.

"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."

The sentencing came as another Rangers fan admitted attacking a Celtic supporter during the pitch invasion.

Jamie Cameron, 28, from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, was caught on camera kicking the man on the body.

Prosecutor Abbas Ali said Cameron had climbed over advertising boards and ran onto the pitch in the direction of opposition fans.

The lawyer said: "He gestured towards the fans, putting his arms out to his side.

"Cameron ran towards the police cordon towards the opposition fans, jumping and kicking the unknown man, causing him to fall to the ground."

He went on to gesticulate by putting his arms out before he ran back to the Rangers support. He was later arrested.

Six minutes of CCTV footage of Cameron's actions were played to the court which included images from match broadcaster Premier Sports.

Sheriff Louise Arrol KC asked: "He came right across the entire pitch?"

Ali replied: "Yes."

He pleaded guilty to breach of the peace and assault at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Arrol told him it was a "serious disturbance" and that he should "prepare for custody".

It was revealed that Cameron has one previous conviction for housebreaking as a 17-year-old.

Frances Taylor, defending, told the court her client was "disgusted" by his behaviour.

She said: "My client has been the captain of his football team for the last six years.

"He got caught up in the moment and has full remorse for what he has done and will be punished for it."

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month and Cameron was granted bail.