Fan banned after League Cup semi-final attack

By CHRISTINE LAVELLE
Published on 05/02/2013 00:40

A SUPPORTER who punched a rival fan in the face ahead of a League Cup semi-final between Ayr United and Kilmarnock has been handed a one-year football banning order.

A SUPPORTER who punched a rival fan in the face ahead of a League Cup semi-final between Ayr United and Kilmarnock has been handed a one-year football banning order.

Douglas Harker, 26, from Ayr, was also sentenced to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work for the “unprovoked attack” outside Hampden Park on 28 January last year.

The Crown Office said Harker was among a group of supporters heading towards the ground when he confronted another man, who was wearing opposing colours, and punched him in the face.

He was convicted of assault following a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court last month.

Joe Stewart, football liaison prosecutor for the west of Scotland, said: “Such a totally unprovoked attack is both shocking and unacceptable. We have a duty to protect genuine fans from those intent on causing trouble and using football as an excuse for violent disorder.

“Such activity … blights the good name of Scottish football and will not be tolerated.”