Man admits throwing seat that injured Aberdeen player

David Gowans will be sentenced in January

An Aberdeen supporter has admitted throwing part of a chair that hit and injured one of the team's players at a match in Dundee.

Ultras Aberdeen member David Gowans' actions resulted in a deep laceration to Jack MacKenzie's left eye and an abrasion to his face.

The incident took place at the end of the club's Scottish Premiership defeat against Dundee United on 17 May.

Gowans, 31, admitted acting in a culpable and reckless manner which caused Mr MacKenzie severe injury and permanent disfigurement. He will be sentenced on 12 January.

The incident resulted in a laceration and abrasion to Jack MacKenzie's face

Dundee Sheriff Court was told that Gowans has been banned from attending Aberdeen games for life by the club.

The court was shown CCTV footage showing a pitch invasion by Dundee United fans, celebrating qualifying for European football.

Depute fiscal Lee Corr told the court that Mr MacKenzie was walking towards the Aberdeen support to applaud them for their support when he was struck by the seat.

Footage showed him receiving treatment from paramedics in the aftermath of the incident.

Mr Corr said a witness in the stand housing Aberdeen supporters saw Gowans pick up a piece of broken chair and throw it and said it had hit Mr MacKenzie.

The witness had asked Gowans why he had done it, and Gowans had left the stadium looking shocked.

'Disastrous mistake'

After the match, the court was told that Gowans contacted Aberdeen's supporter liaison officer Lynn Fiske and told her: "I've got to be honest, the chair was me," but that he had "no idea" who it had hit.

He said he was willing to tell Mr Mackenzie it was "a disastrous mistake."

Gowans messaged that he would prefer to "apologise to the relevant people at the club and anyone injured" then "call it a day and never return."

Ms Fiske repeatedly asked Gowans in the messages to tell the club that he was responsible or she would have to tell them herself.

Ms Fiske subsequently informed police that Gowans was responsible and he was arrested and charged.

Gowans later told police: "I didn't see the player get hit. I have a close relationship with the club. I want to apologise to the player. It came from the ultras section.

"Clearly it came from there. I'm extremely embarrassed. I'm ashamed."

Solicitor Larry Flynn reserved his full mitigation for the sentencing hearing, but said his client had been drinking before the game.

Mr Flynn said the life ban from Aberdeen matches was "obviously a matter of great disappointment to him."

Sheriff Alastair Carmichael told Gowans that "all options were open" when it came to sentencing and continued his bail.