Fan jailed for fighting on pitch at cup final

A FOOTBALL fan has been jailed for five months for an assault on another supporter during the pitch invasion after last year’s Scottish Cup final.

Graham Smith, 29, ran on to Hampden Park at the end of the match after Hibs beat Rangers 3-2 on May 21.

He admitted punching a man on the head and body and was yesterday sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Paul Crozier jailed Smith, from Danderhall, Dalkeith, for five months and handed him a two-year football banning order.

Rangers fan Mark Kerr, 22, was given a community payback order from the same sheriff for an assault on a man wearing a green and white jester’s hat and he, too, was given a two-year football ban.

Kerr, from Airdrie, ran towards the unknown person and punched and kicked him while he was on the ground.

Fellow Rangers supporter Christopher Learie, 30, from Port Glasgow, pleaded guilty to running on to the pitch and acting in an aggressive manner towards rival fans.

Sentence was further deferred until next month after the court heard he would lose his job if jailed.

Grant Ross, 29, has also still to learn his fate after he admitted running on to the pitch and acting aggressively.

The court heard he “collided” with a man who was on the ground then ran back to the seating area.

At earlier court appearances, Shaun Harrold, 18, from Musselburgh, was banned from going to football for 18 months and fined £450 for grabbing Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.

He admitted running towards the player, taking hold of him and gesticulating in an aggressive manner.

Jordan McArthur, 23, from Castlemilk, Glasgow, was given a six-month tag, 12 months supervision order and a three-year football banning order for his part in the pitch invasion, acting aggressively towards rival fans and throwing a chair.

Christopher Forbes, 18, from Clydebank was fined £450 for fighting with fans.