A football fan who threw part of a seat at an Aberdeen player after a match, leaving him with a permanent injury, has been jailed for 18 months. David Gowans, 31, admitted culpable and reckless conduct after hurling the projectile during a Scottish Premiership match between Dundee United and Aberdeen at Tannadice on 17 May.
The seat struck Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie, who had gone to thank travelling supporters after the match. MacKenzie suffered a deep two-inch laceration to his left eyebrow and a five-centimetre abrasion below his left eye, leaving him permanently disfigured. He was taken off the pitch in a wheelchair.
Sentencing Gowans at Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Alastair Carmichael described the actions as “selfish, stupid, dangerous and utterly irresponsible”. He added that the incident could have triggered further disorder and imposed a 10-year football banning order, the maximum possible. Aberdeen have also given Gowans a lifetime ban.
The court heard Gowans, a father-of-one who worked as an offshore operator, was a member of the Aberdeen ultras supporters’ group. He was so drunk at the time that he missed the supporters’ bus home and had to take a taxi. His lawyer said Gowans was “extremely embarrassed” and accepted he let himself and his club down.
Gowans waved to a woman as he was led away to begin his sentence.
