Celtic fan stabs father over toddler son supporting Rangers

http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/229688-thomas-gordon-stabbed-daniel-collingwood-in-celtic-v-rangers-row/

A father was stabbed after a row about whether his toddler son should support Celtic or Rangers.

Daniel Collingwood was attacked by his partner’s uncle, Thomas Gordon, after a New Year’s party.

The High Court in Glasgow heard on Monday that Gordon’s family are Celtic fans and he began arguing with Mr Collingwood because his two-year-old son supported Rangers.

Gordon, who was previously jailed for assaults in the mid-90s, originally faced an attempted murder charge over the attack, but his guilty plea to the reduced charge of assault to the endangerment of life was accepted by the Crown.

The court heard how 36-year-old Gordon's partner Catherine Johnson held a party at her home in Rhynie Drive, Ibrox, Glasgow, on Hogmanay last year. He attended with his 44-year-old brother Edward.

Mr Collingwood and his girlfriend Danielle Gordon, the accused's niece, also went to the party.

Prosecutor Douglas Fairlie QC said: "During the party, Edward Gordon and Mr Collingwood argued about the upbringing of his son. It is stated that the argument appeared to be about whether the child should support Celtic or Rangers."

It is believed members of the Gordon family are Celtic-minded while the two-year-old child is already a Rangers fan. The accused, his brother and Mr Collingwood later left the property in the early hours but returned when Edward Gordon realised he had left something behind.

Mr Fairlie said another row soon broke out at the house with a disagreement about what religion Mr Collingwood's boy should follow.

The advocate depute went on: "The accused left the living room and went into the kitchen. Mr Collingwood felt uneasy and became concerned for his safety. He ran into the back garden, but was unable to find an exit gate, so he attempted to run back into the house."

The court heard he was then grabbed by Edward Gordon, who pushed him against a wall as the accused stormed out. Mr Fairlie told the court: "There was then an altercation during which the accused stabbed the complainer several times to the left side of his neck and shoulder area."

Mr Collingwood managed to escape by jumping over garden fences. He went to a nearby property where his partner was and an ambulance was called.

The court heard the most serious wounds he suffered were to his neck, including one that was 2cm from his jugular vein.

Mr Collingwood has been left scarred for life. Gordon, of the city's Govan, was charged with the attack a week after the incident, but told police: "I didn't do it."

It was revealed that Gordon was jailed for six years in 1995 at the high court for assault. He also has a previous conviction for carrying a knife in 2007.

Judge Lord Turnbull deferred sentencing for reports until later this month. Edward Gordon, also of Govan, had also been accused of attempted murder, but prosecutors accepted his not guilty pleas.