FAN AT C&A
Numptie who tried to kick PSG star on Parkhead pitch scrubs up for court
A CELTIC fan who invaded the pitch and tried to kick a player rocked up to court in his best clobber yesterday as he tried to dodge jail — and dressing to impress paid off.
John Hatton, 21, was instead ordered to do community service after he pleaded guilty.
A SHARP-DRESSED Celtic fan has been spared jail for invading the pitch and assaulting a Paris Saint-Germain player.
John Hatton, 21, from Portadown, Northern Ireland, jumped over a metal railing and ran on to the pitch at Celtic Park during last month’s Champions League match.
He assaulted PSG forward Kylian Mbappe by trying to kick him during the game, which Celtic lost 5-0.
It happened in the 40th minute after PSG’s Edinson Cavani scored their third goal.
Hatton was then smacked on the head by fellow supporter Anthony Lavelle as he was led away by police. Lavelle was later fined £400.
At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Tesco delivery worker Hatton also admitted behaviour likely to incite public disorder by approaching Mbappe at the stadium on September 12.
Yesterday, Hatton returned to the dock wearing a suit.
Sheriff Diane McConnell handed him a community payback order with the conditions that he carries out 160 hours of unpaid work within six months and is supervised in the community for 18 months.
The sheriff also imposed a four-year UK football banning order.
She told Hatton: “It is fortunate the player you targeted wasn’t struck or injured but he must have been greatly alarmed.
“Clearly there was considerable potential for serious large-scale disorder as a consequence of your actions.
“Indeed, I am told some disorder did follow upon your conduct
and the crowd became hostile as a consequence of what you did.”
Hatton made no comment as he left the court building.
Louise MacNeill, prosecuting, had told the court the stadium was at full capacity when Hatton ran on to the park.
She said: “At about 8.20pm, PSG had just scored a goal and as players from this team were celebrating, the accused jumped over the metal railing from the stand on to the football pitch while the live football match was still being played.
“The accused continued to run across the pitch and approached a footballer, Kylian Mbappe, at which point the accused extended his leg and attempted to kick the witness.
“He was unsuccessful and missed his kick, at which point he attempted to run off the pitch. He was stopped by stewards working within the stadium and escorted off the field of play and towards police.”
The court heard a “hostile crowd” gathered and Celtic fan Lavelle punched Hatton as he was led away.
Dan Cameron, defending Hatton, said he lives with his mum, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and helps her with daily tasks.
He added: “He does accept he was drinking from 11am.
“The background report is quite clear about his remorse being genuine.
“He’s aware of the impact his actions have had and he has been banned by the club for life.”
Last month, Lavelle admitted punching Hatton on the head.
The court heard he was “upset and angry” at Hatton’s actions.
Ann McKinlay, defending, said: “Mr Lavelle was far from the only person who was angry about the pitch invasion.
“The consequences for the club could be very serious. UEFA could make them play their matches behind closed doors.”
The court heard that asbestos remover Lavelle, who now lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire, has been a Celtic supporter since he was 13 and takes his nephew, who suffers from epilepsy, to matches.
Lavelle was fined £400 and given two months to pay but a crowdfunding page was launched to pay the fine for him.
Sheriff Sukhwinder Gill refused a Crown motion to impose a football banning order.
She told Lavelle: “If Celtic wish to revoke your season ticket, that’s a matter for them but I would hope they would see sense.”
Celtic have been charged by UEFA following the pitch invasion. It comes after the club were fined £20,000 for illicit banners and blocking a stairway during their qualifying win against Linfield.
He’s aware of impact his actions had and he has been banned by the club for life DEFENCE LAWYER