Banning order for men in Douglas attack trial

Sheriff orders four men to stay away from Forfar games and goalkeeper after alleged attacks

A group of men alleged to have attacked Forfar Athletic goalkeeper Rab Douglas have been banned from the team’s games as they await trial.

But a sheriff yesterday stopped short of imposing a Scotland-wide football ban on the group. The charges relate to a match between the home side and Airdrie at Station Park on April 11.

At Forfar Sheriff Court, Ian Bear, Kenneth Murray and Douglas Allsop denied charges relating to an on-pitch incident at the final whistle. A fourth accused, Ryan Lawrence, had not been issued a citation but will appear with his co-accused at a trial in November.

Depute fiscal Jim Eodonable called for the three men to be banned across Scotland as part of their special bail conditions. He said an unspecified party had made threats to Douglas on Twitter, “that he would be subject to an assault at a future fixture between the two clubs”.

But Sheriff Gregor Murray was content to restrict the motion to games involving Forfar, and the men were instructed not to approach Mr Douglas or attempt to enter Station Park.

Bear, Murray and Lawrence are alleged to have assaulted Douglas and breached the peace by running on to the pitch on April 11. Prosecutors also state Lawrence’s alleged assault against Douglas was aggravated by religious prejudice, and that he also punched a steward in the chest.

Allsop faces a single public disorder charge. A trial has been fixed for November 24.

Bear, 36, of George Street, Airdrie, faces a charge that he conducted himself in a disorderly manner, repeatedly shouting, swearing and directing abusive language towards Douglas, and running on to the pitch, committing a breach of the peace. It is also alleged he assaulted Douglas by spitting on him, running towards him on the pitch and repeatedly punching him on the head.

Murray, 30, of Canal Place, Aberdeen, faces charges that he conducted himself in a disorderly manner, repeatedly shouting, swearing and directing abusive language towards Douglas, and running on to the pitch, committing a breach of the peace. It is also alleged he assaulted Douglas by spitting on him, running towards him on the pitch and repeatedly punching him on the head.

Lawrence, 19, of West Drive, Airdrie, faces charges that he conducted himself in a disorderly manner, repeatedly shouting, swearing and directing abusive language towards Douglas, and running on to the pitch, committing a breach of the peace. It is also alleged he assaulted Douglas by spitting on him, aggravated by religious prejudice, and that he struggled with a steward and punched him in the chest.

Allsop, 40, of Albert Place, Airdrie, faces one charge of repeatedly shouting, swearing, and directing abusive language to Douglas, and committing a breach of the peace by running on to the pitch.

Former Scotland goalie Rab Douglas was allegedly spat on and punched.