Rangers fan jailed for attacking female police officer after Old Firm

A violent Rangers fan has been jailed today after battering a female police officer and spitting in her face after an Old Firm game.

Adam McManus, who was caged when he was just 17 over his part in a gruesome gang attack, battered the female officer and a male colleague after attacking two men in a rage following Celtic's 2-1 win over Rangers .

McManus, 26, lashed out at the officers when they arrived to arrest him after he had choked a man in front of a terrified child.

The lout was so out of control during his rampage in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, that it took five police officers and PAVA spray to restrain him.

McManus rained punches on Marian Roczek and throttled him, before turning on neighbour John Cassidy when he intervened in a bid to calm him down.

Construction worker McManus then headbutted PC Vincent Coppola and spat in his face, before punching PC Alison Laughlan, hitting her on the face with handcuffs, pushing her to the ground and spitting in her face.

It took another three officers to subdue and arrest him during the incident, which began in Maple Drive, Johnstone, at around 3.50pm on March 31 this year.

Procurator Fiscal Depute Keri Marshall told Paisley Sheriff Court McManus and Mr Roczek were seen "shouting at one another" in the street.

The prosecutor explained: "The accused got closer to Mr Roczek and punched him in the face.

"The accused placed his hands around the complainer’s neck and began to choke him.

"During this, a child was standing next to him.

"The child was very upset at what he was witnessing."

Mr Roczek tried to defend himself and asked the boy to run indoors, but the attack continued, with McManus repeatedly punching him and spitting at him.

Neighbour John Cassidy, who heard the rammy outside, went up to McManus and tried to cool things down, but McManus rained punches on his face and body, grabbed hold of him, and pulled him to the ground - before kicking him repeatedly on the head and body.

Police constables Coppola and Laughlan then arrived and tried to arrest McManus but he attacked both of them.

He grabbed a can of PAVA spray from the male officer and, when blasted in the face by PC Laughlan, spat it back in her face, continuing to fight with them as they struck him with their batons in a bid to bring him under control.

McManus was eventually brought under control and placed in a cell van - after three other officers came to assist and placed a spit hood over him.

Defence solicitor Rhona Lynch revealed McManus saw red after two of his beloved Rangers' players were sent off in their 2-1 defeat to Celtic.

Both Alfredo Morelos and Andy Halliday were given red cards in the defeat at Celtic Park, after Odsonne Edouard and James Forrest scored either side of Gers star Ryan Kent's strike.

Miss Lynch explained: "Sunday is his only day off. He was watching football with friends and neighbours. He over-indulged in alcohol.

"He knows he behaved in a disgraceful fashion and would like to apologise to everyone involved for his actions.

"The court has heard an appalling narrative."

McManus, who was caged for 45 months at the High Court in 2009 for a gang attack that left victim David Collins with brain injuries, returned to the dock today to learn his fate.

As he caged McManus for three years, and ordered he be supervised in the community for 12 months upon his release from prison, Sheriff Colin Pettigrew slammed him over his conduct.

The judge said: "There can only be one disposal - and that's a custodial sentence.

"Blows to the head, whether by punch or kick, can, unfortunately, be fatal.

"That it was not, on this occasion, was fortunate - but you gave no thought to that.

"When the police arrived, your behaviour did not stop - if anything, it escalated."

And he ordered McManus to undertake alcohol counselling, as and when directed by his supervisor, saying his actions were "fueled by over-consumption of alcohol."

McManus' partner, who had gone to court to see him sentenced, sobbed as he was led away in handcuffs to begin his jail term.

In 2008, McManus, his cousin, and another man attacked David Collins, then 34, in Johnstone in an attack described as "savage" by the judge sentencing them.

They chased him through the town before raining punches, kicks and stamps on his head and body, knocking him unconscious and leaving him with brain damage that saw him bed-ridden, having speech problems and having trouble caring for himself.