Dons fan’s ban for attempting to throw rock at Rangers bus

The son of a senior police officer has been handed a ban from all football grounds in the UK after he attempted to throw a rock at a Rangers supporters’ bus.

Cameron Craig, 19, was only prevented from throwing the rock by a quick-thinking police officer.

The incident happened in April last year, following the Dons’ 2-0 victory, and saw scores of Aberdeen fans goading their rivals as the buses left Pittodrie.

Several projectiles were thrown – including bricks and beer bottles – resulting in the window of a Rangers supporters’ bus being smashed.

Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard how Craig – who the court was told is a senior north-east police officer’s son – was grabbed around the waist by a cop as he went to throw a rock at the bus.

Appearing in the dock, Craig pled guilty to one charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner that was likely to cause fear and alarm by attempting to throw a rock at a football supporters bus.

Defence solicitor Stuart Flowerdew told the court that his client knew there was “ample opportunity for him not to get involved” that day.

“It was foolish. The only person he can blame for this is himself,” the solicitor said.

Sheriff Graham Buchanan said he agreed with Mr Flowerdew that Craig’s decision to get involved that day was “extremely foolish”, adding that it was “quite a serious offence”.

Sheriff Buchanan made Craig, of Bonnyton Road, Pitmedden, subject to a community payback order and ordered him to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work.

He also banned Craig from every football ground in the UK for two years.

The fans’ coach at Hutcheon Street, Aberdeen.

Cameron Craig