Hibs fan spared jail after trying to punch Rangers player Lee Wallace
A Hibs fan has narrowly avoided jail after trying to punch Rangers player Lee Wallace during the pitch invasion after last year’s Scottish Cup final.
A Hibs fan has narrowly avoided jail after trying to punch Rangers player Lee Wallace during the pitch invasion after last year’s Scottish Cup final.
Dale Pryde climbed over fencing, ran towards the defender, acted aggressively and tried to punch him on the body on May 21, last year at Hampden Park.
He also ran towards Rangers fans and assaulted Jordan Gilmour by punching him on the head after the match that saw Hibs beat Rangers 3-2.
The 20-year-old also pled guilty to assaulting Megan Boyd by hitting her on the body with a chair during the same incident.
Pryde from Greendykes, Edinburgh pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to a charge, contrary to the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, and the two assault charges.
Passing sentence sheriff Kenneth Hogg said he noted that Pryde was “deeply remorseful” although said that his actions “merited the jail”.
He added: “A footballer, no matter which team they play for does not go on to a pitch to enable somebody at a later stage to run on and attempt to assault them - that’s lunacy.”
Pryde was given a tag for three months and must stay within his house between 7pm-6am.
He was also handed a community payback order with the conditions he must carry out 250 hours of unpaid work within nine months and be supervised, and a one year football banning order.
Procurator fiscal depute Richard Hannay told the court Pryde was seen on CCTV climbing over a barrier and on to the pitch.
The prosecutor said: “He ran towards the Rangers captain Lee Wallace, acting in the manner on the charge - he attempted to punch him on the body.
“He ran towards opposition supporters, he was observed thereafter being grabbed by Rangers’ security. He broke free from that and ran towards the west stand.”
The court heard Pryde went on to assault Ranger supporters Mr Gilmour and Miss Boyd.
He was arrested by police but later released once he had sobered up.
Defence lawyer Susan Walker said: “He’s a Hibs supporter, he was overtaken by the occasion and behaved completely inappropriately. He completely accepts that.”
She told the court he drank too much and had “experimented with cocaine” at the time.
Miss Walker said: "He appears to have expressed genuine remorse and shame about his behaviour."