Celtic fan jailed for four years over Old Firm stabbing

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/celtic-fan-jailed-for-four-years-1026693

10/6/13

A CELTIC supporter who repeatedly stabbed a Rangers fan in a "frightening and vicious attack" hours after an Old Firm match was yesterday jailed for four years.

Shaun Duffy, 30, knifed Brian Duncan in Glasgow's Springcroft Bar and Diner.

Duncan was left with serious spinal injuries and still suffers pain, months after the attack.

The High Court in Dunfermline heard that Duffy, an offshore worker, became involved in an argument after bar staff said drinkers entering the pub could not wear football colours.

Brian, his brother Colin and friends had gone to the pub in the city's Baillieston on December 27 last year after watching Rangers lose 1-0 to Celtic at Ibrox that day.

Duffy - a father-of-two - was sitting in the busy bar nearby.

The court was told that the accused and Colin later became involved in a fight.

Brian - who had been playing pool - saw the incident and rushed to help his brother.

But Brian, 37, was pushed to the ground before Duffy pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest and neck.

Simon Bowie, prosecuting, said Brian was unable to stand up after being attacked.

Duffy fled the scene as other drinkers attended to his victim.

Brian lost two litres of blood on the way to hospital and had to be resuscitated.

Doctors believed his injuries were a significant threat to his life. He has been left with a lack of feeling in his fingers and his lower legs.

Mr Bowie added: "He was a keen footballer but is unable to do that and does not now socialise."

Duffy handed himself in to police weeks after the incident.

The court was told he had previous convictions for football-related violence and served three years in jail for a previous assault to the danger of a victim's life.

Duffy, of Borthwick Street, Garthamlock, Glasgow, admitted assaulting Brian to the danger of his life.

Tony Graham, defending, said: "There's no situation where this sort of violence can be tolerated by society.

"He is a man who can remain free of intoxicants when working offshore but succumbs to alcohol abuse when on shore leave.

"He was in a pub, he was drunk and something that started as a minor argument escalated and he offers no excuse for that."

Imposing the jail term, judge Lord Woolman said the attack was "life-threatening".

He said: "You carried out a frightening and vicious attack on Brian Duncan. It is only chance 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."

Duffy smiled at supporters on the public benches as he was led to the cells.

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.