Football hooligans banned from all grounds

Published 10 Mar 2010 11:03

THREE Wee County football hooligans have been banned from attending matches anywhere in Britain following trouble after an Alloa Athletic Scottish Cup match.

Fights broke out on Clackmannan Road following the Wasps' home match against Aberdeen on 10 January last year, the game finishing 2-1 to the SPL side.

Elliot MacRae, Lee McKellican and Leigh Wheater were involved in the skirmish and all three appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court last Wednesday for sentencing.

They had previously been found guilty during a three-day trial of forming a group with the common purpose of engaging in violence against rival football fans, lashing out violently, striking lieges and committing a breach of the peace.

A total of 10 people were originally arrested over the incident.

Sheriff David Mackie handed MacRae (39), of Cragganmore, Tullibody, a five-year football banning order and sentenced him to carry out 150 hours of community service.

Banning order

McKellican (21) received a one-year banning order and a fine of £300, and Wheater (32) was given a three-year banning order and 150 hours community service to carry out.

None of the three were fans of either Alloa or Aberdeen.

Initially, all three were said to be Rangers supporters, but Wheater's solicitor, Alastair Burleigh, stated in court last week that his client is a supporter of Partick Thistle. Wheater also has a Partick Thistle tattoo on his arm.

Sheriff Mackie said that he believed all three had deliberately set out to target rival Aberdeen fans, some of whom sustained injuries.

MacRae was told by Sheriff Mackie he had considered a prison sentence due to his criminal record, which includes a past conviction for aggravated breach of the peace related to football and a previous prison sentence on a drugs charge.

However, Sheriff Mackie decided against custody due to the impact a prison sentence would have on MacRae's family.

Wheater, from Caroline Crescent, Alva, was told he played a prominent role in the disturbance, whilst McKellican, of The Glen, Tullibody, received a lighter punishment to reflect his lesser involvement.

Strathclyde Police Assistant Chief Constable John Neilson, who leads on football issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, welcomed the decision to ban all three men from football grounds.

He said, "Football hooliganism is unacceptable and we are determined to work with clubs and genuine supporters to try to eradicate it from the game.

Enforcement

"The continued enforcement of Football Banning Orders in Scotland will undoubtedly send a message to those who use football as an excuse to create disorder that this anti social behaviour will not be tolerated."

The nature of the football banning order means that all three are now prohibited from attending any senior league, cup or international game in Scotland, England and Wales.

They will also be required to surrender their passports to the police at times when relevant football matches are taking place overseas and attend a police station when certain matches are taking place in the UK.

Speaking after the sentence, Andrew Grant, Procurator Fiscal for Stirling and Alloa, said, "Disorderly conduct at football matches and particularly between rival fans will not be tolerated.

"All such conduct will be robustly investigated and prosecuted and if individuals are found guilty the Crown will advise the court, as in this case, of the availability of imposing Football Banning Orders for such offences."

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