An Aberdeen man has been told his “playing days are over” by a sheriff after breaking an opponent’s jaw in a game of five-a-side football.
Douglas McKerron lashed out during a heated game of football at the city’s Goals Soccer Centre in Great Southern Road.
He had already been told to leave the pitch by a referee and to calm down after being involved in a “tussle” early in the league match on March 26, but when he came back on he began to “throw his weight around” again.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard yesterday that after challenging Sean Sutherland for the ball, he then punched him.
Fiscal depute Anna Chisholm said: “For no apparent reason, the accused walked up to him and punched him in the face.”
Sheriff Andrew Miller noted that McKerron had a similar conviction for assault in 2010.
However, he decided to spare him a jail sentence – but warned “anything other than kicking a football around with your children” could land him in jail.
He ordered McKerron to pay £1,000 in compensation and put him on a year-long supervision order, part of which means he must carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.
That was in addition a conduct requirement, which the sheriff said “prohibits you from taking part in any organised football match”.
“You need to accept your playing days are over,” he added.
McKerron, of Balnagask Road, Aberdeen, previously admitted the offence.
Defence solicitor Peter Shepherd said that after his client had been “open” with officers after they traced him at home the next day.
He added: “The accused threw only one punch, not to excuse it.”