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| 'Brutal' Lennon attackers jailed | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Two men have been jailed for two years each for attacking Celtic coach Neil Lennon hours after an Old Firm game. | |
| A jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court found David Whitelaw, 47, and 43-year-old Jeffrey Carrigan guilty of assault by a majority verdict. | A jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court found David Whitelaw, 47, and 43-year-old Jeffrey Carrigan guilty of assault by a majority verdict. |
| However, the pair were cleared of an allegation that the attack on 1 September last year was aggravated by religious prejudice. | However, the pair were cleared of an allegation that the attack on 1 September last year was aggravated by religious prejudice. |
| Sheriff Martin Jones said the attack was "vicious, brutal and cowardly". | Sheriff Martin Jones said the attack was "vicious, brutal and cowardly". |
| He added: "After being punched to the ground and lying defenceless, you repeatedly kicked the complainer about the head and body and at some point he was rendered unconscious. | |
| The complainer was indeed fortunate that he didn't receive more serious injuries Sheriff Martin Jonese | |
| "You showed no concern for your victim and and no appreciation of the consequences of your actions. | |
| "The complainer was indeed fortunate that he didn't receive more serious injuries." | |
| The attack took place in Ashton Lane in Glasgow's west end, hours after Rangers defeated Celtic 4-2 in the opening Old Firm game of the season. | |
| The trial heard that Carrigan had asked Lennon: "Did you like the score today?" | |
| A witness said that in reply, Lennon raised his middle finger at the men. | |
| Next recollection | |
| The pair had claimed that Lennon started the fight by pushing Carrigan and grabbing him by the throat, but witnesses said Whitelaw threw the first punch. | |
| One witness said Whitelaw had been wearing a chain with a distinctive Rangers FC crest. | |
| Lennon, who suffered cuts above his eye and lip, told the court that he could not remember anything about the attack. | |
| He said: "A friend of mine offered to walk me up the road but I said I would be fine as I only live three minutes away. | |
| "The next thing I remember I was lying on the ground and somebody was dabbing my face asking if I was okay. | |
| "My next recollection is waking up in hospital with my fiancee sitting at the end of the bed crying and my manager looking pretty concerned." | |
| After the pair were convicted, the court heard that Whitelaw was jailed for six years in 1993 for drug offences. | |
| Carrigan was jailed for five years in 2003 for drug dealing. |