Trio jailed for sectarian attack on Celtic supporter who suffered brain bleed

Three Rangers fans who attacked a Celtic supporter outside of Ibrox after an Old Firm match have been jailed for a total of three-and-a-half years.

Ben Stanex, 24, Scott Dragsness, 55, and Andrew Graham, 21, all from Northern Ireland, attacked the man on March 8 this year

The victim was ushering fellow fans onto a supporters’ bus when he was surrounded by a rival mob, including the trio.

The group shouted a sectarian slur at the man before he was punched by Stanex, who then repeatedly stamped on his head.

Dragsness and Graham then joined and kicked the victim in the body.

Rangers fans attack a Celtic supporter outside Ibrox. COPFS

The victim was left unconscious and was later found to have suffered a bleed to the brain.

Stanex, Dragsness and Graham pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the assault of the man to severe injury and danger of life.

The offence was aggravated by prejudice related to religion or perceived religious affiliation.

On Wednesday, Sheriff Andrew McIntyre jailed Stanex and Graham for a period of one year each. Dragsness received an 18-month sentence.

Police Scotland drone footage of the Old Firm attack on a Celtic supporter COPFS

All three were also given seven-year football banning orders, which ban them from every football ground in the UK and from travelling to support any team.

The sheriff told them: “Violence and football-related violence is a serious cause for concern in this city.

“The law recognises that it is all the worse when it is driven by prejudice related to religion or affiliation.

“Each of you was involved in a concerned act of serious violence as part of a group to assault the victim after a football match.

“As part of the attack, he was punched, and he fell to the ground and while on the ground, the attack continued.

“He was repeatedly kicked to the head and body, then stamped on with such ferocity that he lost consciousness due to his severe injury.

“To inflict such violence on someone poses and obvious danger to life.

“I have concluded that only a prison sentence can mark the seriousness of this crime, and I am satisfied there is no other sentence available in the circumstances.

“I have concluded that a prison sentence is necessary to protect the public and deter others from offending in future.”

Attack caught on mobile phone video

Rangers hosted Celtic earlier that day at Ibrox Stadium in a Scottish Cup tie, which the visitors won on penalties.

Around 4.15pm, the victim saw a group of Celtic fans being chased by Rangers supporters.

He exited the bus to aid his fellow fans and usher them onto his supporters’ bus.

As he did this, he was confronted by the Rangers group, which included Stanex, Graham and Dragsness.

Prosecutor Lauren Aitchison told the court that the group shouted: “Fenian b******s.”

The fiscal depute added: “At this time, Stanex punched [the victim] to the head, which caused him to fall to the ground.

“This was seen by Dragsness and Graham.

“Stanex placed his hands on the bus and repeatedly stamped on the head of [the victim].

“Dragsness at this point kicked the body of [the victim] and Graham then did the same.”

The trio made off and jumped on Rangers fans’ coaches, which were later pulled over by police.

The men were picked out at the time and arrested.

The victim was rushed to the hospital, where he was found to have suffered a brain injury.

He also sustained injuries to the back of his head and swelling to his left eye.

Mobile phone footage of the incident was shown to the court as all three men bowed their heads in the dock.

The court heard how first offender Stanex is a student who helps run a youth football team in Northern Ireland.

Dragsness, of Belfast, works for a graphics company, and Graham is an NHS worker in County Down.

Superintendent Derrick Johnston said: “This was a brutal attack and I am in no doubt that this will affect the victim for the rest of his life.

“The assault was witnessed by a number of members of public and captured on mobile phone footage at the time.

“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.

“We will not tolerate football-related violence and will ensure that those responsible are held to account.”