Thursday, July 23, 2009

Celtic fan jailed for four years over Old Firm stabbing

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/06/10/celtic-fan-jailed-for-four-years-over-old-firm-stabbing-86908-21428834/

A Celtic supporter who repeatedly stabbed a Rangers fan in a Glasgow pub hours after an Old Firm match has been sentenced to four years in jail. Shaun Duffy admitted assaulting Brian Duncan to the danger of his life in the Springcroft Bar and Diner in Ballieston last December. The High Court in Dunfermline heard how Duffy stabbed Mr Duncan after he had come to the aid of his brother. Judge Lord Woolman labelled the assault a “frightening and vicious attack”.

The court heard how the victim’s brother, Colin, and his friends had gone to the pub on 27 December after watching Rangers lose at Ibrox earlier that day. Offshore worker Duffy and his group were also in the bar and he became involved in an argument after staff said drinkers entering the pub could not wear football colours. Duffy then became directly involved in a fight with Colin Duncan.

His brother Brian, who had been playing pool, saw what was happening and rushed to help his brother.
The 37-year-old was pushed to the ground, then Duffy pulled out a knife and stabbed him twice in the chest and once in the neck. Mr Duncan lost two litres of blood on the way to hospital and had to be resuscitated.

The court was told that Duffy had a history of violence and was jailed for another knife attack in 1998.
Passing sentence, Lord Woolman told Duffy, “You carried out a frightening and vicious attack on Brian Duncan. It is only chance that you do not face a charge of murder. You have 11 previous convictions - five for breach of the peace, one football-related, and a 2005 conviction for an assault with a bottle. Your victim required emergency treatment and lost two litres of blood - this was life-threatening. If you had been convicted after trial, you would have had six years in prison - but as you pled guilty the sentence will be four years.”