Hibs fan, who invaded the pitch and approached James Tavernier, during Rangers game, jailed

A Hibs fan who climbed out of the stand at Easter Road Stadium and kicked the football away from Rangers captain, James Tavernier has been jailed for 100 days. 22-year old Cameron Mack from Port Seton, pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to running onto the pitch on Friday 8th March.

He admitted committing a breach of the peace by approaching the captain as he went to collect the ball for a throw-in.

Defence solicitor, Eddie Wilson, told Sheriff Adrian Cottam his client had gone to the match with his father and a family friend and they had met up with others. Mack, he said, had had far too much to drink. "He told me that when he hit the fresh air he became intoxicated and remembers little or nothing about this incident".

His actions, said Mr Wilson, had had serious consequences, bringing shame to his family and anger among others. Mack lived with his partner and two young children. There had been death threats to himself and his partner, threats of serious violence, people coming to the door and getting in touch with relatives.

Mr Wilson added: "The police advised that he, his wife and children, should leave the family home". Some messages had caused extreme anxiety to his family and he was devastated at having caused it.

Mack, said Mr Wilson, apologised to the Ranger's captain and both football clubs and accepted his actions could have led to widespread disturbances in the stadium. He added that his client had no previous convictions of any kind and was assessed as being at low risk of re-offending.

Sheriff Cottam told Mack he fully appreciated the reaction the incident with the Ranger's captain had caused and that Mack was a first offender, but he had to consider the protection of the public.

This, he added, was not an isolated incident, but was part of widening disorder in Scottish football. He jailed Mack for 100 days and imposed a 10 year Football Banning Order.