A man from Aberdeen has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for causing severe injury to a former Aberdeen FC player by throwing a piece of a seat at him. David Gowans, 31, hit defender Jack MacKenzie with the seat fragment after a match against Dundee United, resulting in permanent disfigurement for MacKenzie.
During the sentencing at Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Alastair Carmichael condemned Gowans’ actions as selfish, stupid, dangerous, and utterly irresponsible, stating that a custodial sentence was necessary. Gowans had admitted culpable and reckless conduct in November, leading to the recent sentencing and a lifetime ban from Aberdeen FC.
Despite maintaining that he did not aim at MacKenzie, Gowans confessed to throwing the seat in text messages to the club’s supporters’ liaison officer. Following the incident, he was arrested by the police after failing to turn himself in.
As a consequence of the incident, MacKenzie, who suffered a deep laceration to his left eyebrow and an abrasion below his left eye, has left Aberdeen and now plays for Plymouth Argyle in League One.