Football Fan Jailed for 18 Months After Throwing Seat and Injuring Player

A 32-year-old football fan has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for throwing a seat and injuring an Aberdeen player during a match. The incident occurred on May 17 at Tannadice during a Scottish Premiership game between Aberdeen and Dundee United. David Gowans, the offender, threw the seat onto the pitch, striking Aberdeen's Jack MacKenzie and causing a deep laceration to his left eyebrow and an abrasion below his left eye. MacKenzie has been left permanently disfigured as a result of the incident. Gowans, who had been working as an offshore operator, admitted to culpable and reckless conduct in October. Sheriff Alastair Carmichael handed down the sentence, stating that Gowans' actions were 'selfish, stupid, dangerous, and utterly irresponsible.' The sheriff also imposed a football banning order, barring Gowans from attending football matches for 10 years. Gowans had already been given a lifetime ban by Aberdeen Football Club. The court was shown CCTV footage of the incident, which revealed a large number of Dundee United fans on the pitch, celebrating their team's win. Gowans' lawyer, Larry Flynn, stated that his client had been inebriated at the time of the incident and was 'extremely embarrassed' by his actions. The procurator fiscal for Tayside, Central and Fife, Helen Nisbet, described Gowans' behavior as 'disgraceful conduct' that could have resulted in greater consequences and jeopardized the safety of other supporters.