An Aberdeen supporter has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for causing a severe injury to former player Jack MacKenzie by throwing a part of a seat at him during a Scottish Premiership match. The incident occurred after the league game between Aberdeen and Dundee United on May 17 last year, where MacKenzie approached the fans to show his appreciation when he was hit by the seat fragment.
The thrown object caused MacKenzie a deep two-inch laceration to his left eyebrow and a five-centimeter abrasion below his left eye, resulting in permanent disfigurement. David Gowans, 31, admitted culpable and reckless conduct in November at Dundee Sheriff Court. Additionally, he received a lifetime ban from Aberdeen FC.
During the sentencing on January 12, Sheriff Alastair Carmichael condemned Gowans’ actions as selfish, stupid, dangerous, and utterly irresponsible, stating that a custodial sentence was the only appropriate course of action. Gowans had initially admitted to throwing the seat but claimed he was not targeting MacKenzie.
After exchanging text messages with Aberdeen FC supporters’ liaison officer Lynne Fiske on the day of the incident, Gowans failed to surrender himself, leading to his arrest by the police a few days later. MacKenzie has since left Aberdeen and joined Plymouth Argyle in League One.
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