A Scottish football fan has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after throwing a stadium seat which struck and permanently injured a player from his own club.
Reckless Act Leaves Defender Scarred
David Gowans, 31, launched the projectile onto the pitch at Tannadice Park following a Scottish Premiership match between Dundee United and Aberdeen on 17 May 2025. The seat fragment hit Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie, who had approached the travelling supporters to thank them. The impact caused a severe facial injury.
MacKenzie, who now plays for Plymouth Argyle, suffered a deep two-inch laceration to his left eyebrow and a five-centimetre abrasion below his left eye. Medical reports confirmed the incident has left him with permanent disfigurement.
Court Condemns "Staggering" Recklessness
At Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Alastair Carmichael told Gowans his actions were "selfish, stupid, dangerous and utterly irresponsible." The sheriff stated that the level of recklessness was "staggering" if Gowans had not considered the possibility of hitting someone.
Sheriff Carmichael emphasised the broader context, noting the act occurred at a football match and had the potential to incite further crowd disorder. CCTV footage shown in court depicted MacKenzie lying on the pitch for several minutes receiving treatment before being wheeled off in a wheelchair, as Dundee United fans celebrated nearby.
Maximum Ban and Lifetime Club Exclusion
The court heard that Gowans, a father-of-one and former offshore operator, was a member of an Aberdeen ultras group. He had pleaded guilty to culpable and reckless conduct in October. His defence lawyer, Larry Flynn, said his client was heavily inebriated at the time, so drunk he missed the supporters' bus home to Aberdeen.
Gowans was given a 10-year football banning order, the maximum period available, and has been issued a lifetime ban by Aberdeen FC. Text messages shown to the court revealed Gowans had contacted the club's supporter liaison officer, Lynn Fisk, admitting the "disastrous mistake" and claiming he wasn't aiming at anyone.
Sheriff Carmichael concluded that only a custodial sentence was appropriate due to the crime's gravity, the need for punishment, and to deter others. As the sentence was passed, a woman in the public gallery wept, and Gowans, wearing a dark suit, waved to her as he was led away.
