A “drunken, thuggish” Aberdeen fan who attacked a 12-year-old boy he spotted wearing a Celtic shirt in a Dundee supermarket has been ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim and perform 200 hours of unpaid work in the community.
Sheriff George Way told Matthew Brown there was no place for his behaviour “under the guise of supporting a football club.”
Brown (20), of Charleston Way, Aberdeen, previously admitted the unprovoked attack on the boy at Tesco Extra on Kingsway West.
The court was told Brown was on a supporters’ bus heading back from the Scottish Cup semi-final on April 17, and that it had stopped for a break. The boy was shopping with his parents when Brown approached him, made a comment and whispered something in his ear, before butting him.
The youngster was left with a large bump on his head and felt sick afterwards.
At Dundee Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Brown’s lawyer Nicky Brown said her client had already faced consequences as a result of the incident. Sheriff George Way confirmed the apprentice electrician, who had held a season ticket for 15 years, had been banned by the Dons for life.
Ms Brown also told the court her client had written two letters, which the sheriff had read alongside reports into the case.
Sheriff Way told Brown, “You have to understand that in any civilised society we can’t tolerate this kind of drunken, thuggish behaviour under the guise of supporting a football club.
“Sport isn’t about this kind of behaviour and the fact that this violence is directed towards a young person just because he was wearing football colours makes it all the more disgusting.
“However, you are a first offender and your own club has banned you for life. That lets you understand what they think.”
He told Brown he had the “potential to be a productive member of society,” and had resisted sending him to prison because it would undo that potential.
“I hope and understand from this report that you are ashamed of yourself,” Sheriff Way said.
Brown was ordered to pay £500 in compensation and will be supervised for a year or until that sum is paid in full.
Sheriff Way ordered him to complete 200 hours’ unpaid work, discounted from 300 hours because he pled guilty at the earliest chance.
Brown refused to comment as he left the court.