An Ayrshire mum who hit a police officer with a glass bottle during a Rangers title party has avoided jail today.
Stephanie Donaldson hurled the item at an unknown officer who formed part of a cordon in Glasgow city centre’s George Square on May 15, 2021.
Donaldson had gathered with hundreds of fellow jubilant Gers fans to celebrate the club’s Scottish Premiership title win.
The 30-year-old later blamed the “stress and strain” of the Covid pandemic as a reason for her attendance.
The mum-of-four pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to culpable and reckless conduct.
Sheriff Iain Fleming ordered Donaldson, of Ayr, to do 160 hours of unpaid work.
She was also put under supervision for 12 months.
Donaldson was told: “This was appalling, atrocious and ridiculous and you understand that.”
The court heard that an order for dispersal of the square had been made at 8.40pm, which had also been posted on social media.
CCTV was gathered after the event which was reviewed by police.
Prosecutor Laura Bradley said: “Donaldson was shown throwing a glass bottle at a police officer. It smashed as the bottle hit the police officer’s helmet.”
Donaldson was caught after police received anonymous information that she was responsible.
Colin Adam, defending, told the court: “Donaldson and her partner had not been out much at all during the pandemic.
“Such as the stress and strain of the pandemic on both of them, the family rallied round to finance the trip to Glasgow.
“They booked a Premier Inn to stay in after the football and celebrations and enjoy a night out which they hadn’t done for a number of years.
“A considerable amount of drink was taken and they went to George Square where the drinking continued.
“She did not seek out a specific officer and for some inexplicable reason she threw this bottle at police and it struck an officer in the manner described.
“She is horrified by the way she acted and has little recollection of it.”
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