Nine men sentenced and given football banning orders for affray

The group were charged following an incident in Carlisle in October 2021

Author: Tom HailePublished 18th Nov 2023

Nine men have been sentenced for football-related disorder which occurred in a city centre pub.

All nine men were also handed football banning orders totalling 60 years.

The following men were sentenced today (17 November) at Carlisle Crown Court:

Andrew Currie, 26, of Brownsdale Road, Rutherglen, was given a four and half months suspended sentence, 120 hours unpaid work and a six year football banning order.

Kieran Ewing, 32, of Grove Street, Falkirk, was sentenced to nine months and given a seven year football banning order.

Owen Ewing, 32, of Woodside Road, Stirling, was sentenced to seven and a half months and given a six year football banning order

William Gerry, 31, of Laurencecroft Road, Stirling, was sentenced to seven and a half months and given a six year football banning order

James Manley, 30, of Borthwick Street, Glasgow, was was given a four and half month suspended sentenced, 120 hours unpaid work and given a six year football banning order.

Sean McNulty, 44, of Glenure Lane, Edinburgh, was sentenced to 13 months and given an eight year football banning order.

Michael Morton, 28, of Oak Street, Stirling, was sentenced to nine months and given a seven year football banning order.

Steven Rintoul, 49, of Harburn Road, West Calder, was sentenced to 11 months and given a six year football banning order.

Andrew Whitson, 39, of John Know Road, Longniddry, was sentenced to 13 months and given an eight year football banning order.

On Saturday 23 October 2021, the nine men were involved in a violent incident in Gallagher’s Bar on St Nicholas Street. Three Hibernian fans; McNulty, Rintoul and Whitson, were part of a large crowd of people walking towards the city centre. The three men diverted away from the crowd and headed towards Gallagher’s Bar.

Inside Gallagher’s bar were the other six men, all Celtic fans. Upon both groups coming together inside the pub, disorder broke out with the Celtic fans arming themselves with pool cues, pool balls, glasses and furniture as they fought with the three men entering the pub.

Police were quick to the scene and made arrests. Following CCTV enquiries, officers were able to identify others involved in the incident.

Inspector Kim Brown, Cumbria Constabulary, said:

“The men involved in this incident acted with complete disregard to safety of other people within the pub and the surrounding area. Given the level of violence used, it is only by fortune that nobody was seriously injured.

“All nine men involved affiliated themselves as supporters of two football clubs and engaged in such mindless, violent activity.

“Our officers were quick to intervene and made a number of arrests at the scene. Following an investigation, we were able to identify the other individuals involved and bring them before the court.

“I do hope that this sends a clear message to anyone who believes they can act in such a manner, that such disorder will not be tolerated in our county. We have strong working relationships with other police forces, and we will work together to identify and prosecute those who engage in football-related disorder.”

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