Football Fan Jailed After Throwing Seat That Seriously Injured.......

A football supporter has been jailed for 18 months after throwing part of a stadium seat onto the pitch and seriously injuring a player.

David Gowans, 31, hurled the seat during a Scottish Premiership match between Dundee United and Aberdeen at Tannadice in May.

The object struck Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie, who had approached the away end to applaud travelling supporters after the final whistle.

MacKenzie, now at Plymouth Argyle, suffered a deep cut above his left eye and abrasions to his face, leaving him permanently scarred.

Gowans, a father-of-one and former offshore worker, was a member of an Aberdeen ultras group at the time of the incident, reports Irish Times.

He admitted culpable and reckless conduct in court and accepted responsibility for his actions last October.

Sentencing took place at Dundee Sheriff Court, where the seriousness of the incident was strongly emphasised.

Judge condemns ‘selfish and dangerous’ behaviour at football match

Sheriff Alastair Carmichael described Gowans’ actions as “selfish, stupid and utterly irresponsible”, warning the outcome could have been far worse.

The court heard the incident risked triggering wider disorder among supporters and undermining public safety at football matches.

CCTV footage showed MacKenzie receiving medical treatment on the pitch before being taken off in a wheelchair.

The judge ruled there was no alternative to a custodial sentence due to the gravity of the offence.

In addition to the prison term, Gowans received a 10-year football banning order, the maximum available under law.

Aberdeen have also imposed a lifetime ban, preventing him from attending any future matches involving the club.