Two individuals have avoided a prison sentence following a horrific assault on a disabled Raith Rovers supporter by a group of football hooligans. Kieren Ross, an 18-year-old fan, was subjected to a vicious attack by a gang of thugs after a match between Dunfermline Athletic and Raith Rovers last year. Disturbing footage circulated on social media captured the teenager being physically assaulted, with his hearing aids broken during the brutal incident. The court proceedings exposed Mackenzie King, a 21-year-old ex-soldier, and 18-year-old Callum Beautyman as perpetrators of the heinous assault. Sheriff Susan Duff admonished the offenders, highlighting the lasting trauma inflicted upon the victim, including nightmares and panic attacks that have shattered his confidence.
Both King and Beautyman appeared before Dunfermline Sheriff Court and admitted to assault to injury charges. Despite their despicable actions, their young age was a factor in the sentencing that spared them from imprisonment. King received 240 hours of unpaid work as part of a Community Payback Order, while Beautyman was subjected to an eight-month Restriction of Liberty Order, enforcing a night-time curfew through electronic tagging. Additionally, both individuals were issued Football Banning Orders banning them from attending matches for three years.
The brutal attack on Kieren Ross occurred after a football match between Raith Rovers and Dunfermline Athletic, where he was ambushed by a group of rival supporters while waiting for a bus. The assailants ruthlessly assaulted him, causing minor injuries and deep emotional scars. The shocking incident was captured in a viral video on social media, sparking outrage within the football community. Both clubs involved denounced the violence and pledged to collaborate with authorities to identify the culprits and provide support to the victim.
In a display of remorse, King’s solicitor mentioned his client’s full cooperation with the authorities, including issuing a letter of apology to the victim. Beautyman’s legal representative acknowledged his client’s acceptance of responsibility and susceptibility to being influenced by others. The court revealed that four other teenagers were also charged in connection with the assault. The joint condemnation of the attack by Raith Rovers and Dunfermline Athletic exemplifies the collective effort to combat violence in football and support those affected by such despicable acts.