Kieren Ross, an 18-year-old with disabilities, was violently attacked by a group of thugs following a football match between Dunfermline Athletic and Raith Rovers. In a powerful victim impact statement read out in court, Kieren revealed the lasting trauma inflicted upon him, including nightmares, panic attacks, and a loss of confidence that forced him to give up his beloved sport. The attackers, Mackenzie King and Callum Beautyman, were convicted and sentenced, but Kieren's statement highlighted the enduring psychological scars of the attack.
A disabled teenager who was brutally attacked by a gang of thugs has bravely shared a heartbreaking victim impact statement. Ex-soldier Mackenzie King, 21, and 18-year-old Callum Beautyman were found guilty at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday, January 15, following the assault on Kieren Ross, 18, at rivals Dunfermline Athletic's East End Park last January.
King, from Oakley, who was medically discharged from the Army, was sentenced to 240 hours of unpaid work as part of a Community Payback Order. Beautyman, from Kelty, received an eight-month Restriction of Liberty Order, meaning he will be electronically tagged to enforce a night-time curfew. Sheriff Susan Duff read out Kieren's impact statement in court, revealing the teenager's profound fear that the gang intended to kill him. He continues to suffer from nightmares and panic attacks and has been forced to give up playing football as his confidence has been shattered. His victim impact statement poignantly stated: 'Even though my physical injuries have healed I don't think the mental impact will ever heal. I genuinely believed they wanted to kill me. Them saying those words will live engraved in my head forever. I don't think I'll ever be able to be the happy carefree boy I was before this happened.' Addressing King and Beautyman, Sheriff Duff declared: 'You and your friends did this to another human being. You need to hang your heads in shame. You attacked that school pupil with disabilities as part of a mob and left him lying on the ground with his hearing aids broken.'In a gesture of support, Raith Rovers invited Kieren to Stark's Park following the attack to meet the players and watch training. He was presented with a signed shirt, Dylan Easton's boots, and Kevin Dabrowski's gloves. The club also arranged for him to travel with the team bus for a match against Airdrie. Both Raith Rovers and Dunfermline Athletic immediately condemned the attack, pledging to work together and assist the police in identifying the perpetrators. A Raith Rovers spokesperson said: 'We are aware of an incident involving one of our supporters being assaulted after today’s match. We have contacted the supporter to check on their well-being and to see how we can provide support in any way possible. The incident has been reported to the police and we will work with Dunfermline Athletic to identify the offenders.' A spokesperson for the Pars added: 'Dunfermline Athletic are aware of a video circulating on social media last night. The club condemns all forms of violence in the strongest possible way and we will support the authorities in identifying any individuals involved. We will work with Raith Rovers to ensure that the supporter involved receives the support they need. Any supporter found to have taken part in this horrible act will be banned from KDM Group East End Park.
DISABLED TEEN FOOTBALL ASSAULT VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC RATH ROVERS MENTAL HEALTH
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