Burnley fan threatened to 'slice someone's face' before game

A Burnley FC fan who made pre-match knife threats, bragging about  his 'mate Stanley' and slicing someone's face with it, could be facing jail.
Burnley Magistrates' CourtBurnley Magistrates' Court
Burnley Magistrates' Court

Drunken Jason McCabe struck at the busy Brickmakers Arms pub on Yorkshire Street, in the town, before the Clarets’ game against Tottenham Hotspur last December 23rd.

He shouted: “I’m tooled up and ready today for the football. Got my mate Stanley with me. Gonna give someone a Glasgow kiss.”

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Burnley magistrates heard how a witness was in the smoking area at the back of the premises when McCabe went out and made the threat.

The customer knew a Glasgow kiss was a headbutt and McCabe was asked if he was referring to a “Chelsea grin” – cutting a smile-shape in the cheeks.

The defendant replied: “Yeah, me and my mate Stanley are going to cut someone. We are ready.”

McCabe was thrown out and searched and a craft knife with the blade showing was found in his jacket pocket. When he was questioned by police and asked where he would put himself on a scale of 1 to 10 for drunkenness, he said he was about eight.

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The 46-year-old defendant, of Stockbridge Road, Padiham, admitted possessing a blade and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. He was committed on bail to be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court at the end of February because of the “dangerous circumstances” of the outburst.

Prosecutor Mrs Tracy Yates told the hearing a member of the door staff heard McCabe in the beer garden, talking about his “ mate Stanley,” and tapping his left breast pocket.

The bar manager decided not to serve him as she had been told he was bragging about having a knife and cutting someone.

Mrs Yates said when the defendant was interviewed and asked about a Glasgow kiss, he said it meant to put a blade in the mouth and slice it into the cheeks.

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The prosecutor continued: “He said he was attacked by a couple of dogs two years ago and now always carries a blade. When he was asked if he had ever used it, he said ‘never’. He said he had bought a ticket with a debit card for the match and still had to collect it.”