A Fife man who filled shutter doors of Ibrox stadium with expanding foam before an Old Firm game has been banned from football matches for 13 months.
Ryan Cross, 19, from Dunfermline – with accomplice Michael McKay, 23, of Johnstone, Renfrewshire – committed the crime on April 3 2022.
The teenager ran in the direction of an unmarked police car after the vandalism and was covered in evidence of his crime when he was caught.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard the pair were among 50 to 60 individuals in black clothing and balaclavas who turned up at the stadium in the early hours of the morning with the foam.
Prosecutor Redmond Harris said: “Both men were seen on CCTV taking part in vandalising blue shutter doors of the stadium.
“They put expandable foam around 26 blue doors.”
Caught covered in evidence
Security contacted the police, who arrived as the group were making off in vehicles.
Mr Harris said: “Cross was running in the direction of an unmarked police vehicle.
“He was apprehended and found in possession of expandable foam.
“He was noted to have foam on his clothing and was wearing medical gloves.”
McKay, with two cans of the foam, was found in a Ford Fiesta..
He was also noted to have expandable foam on his clothing and was arrested.
Mr Harris stated he had no information on the cost of the damage.
The first offenders pled guilty to a single charge of malicious mischief.
Banning order
Isla Sinclair, defending both men, told the court: “This was entirely out of character and the behaviour was a one-off situation.
“It was an immature act which they both recognise would have serious consequences for them and present with a significant level of remorse.
“They are extremely ashamed with the way they have behaved.”
Sheriff Bernard Abblett ordered the pair to do 54 hours of unpaid work each, on top of the football banning order.
It was not noted in court which team – if any – they support.
Celtic would go on to beat their Glasgow rivals Rangers 2-1 later that day.
For the latest court cases across Tayside and Fife, join our Courts Facebook page.
