Thug who left Livingston FC goalkeeper lying in pool of blood caged after years on run

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A thug who left Livingston FC goalie Shamal George lying in a pool of blood after a brutal and unprovoked attack has finally been brought to justice.Ross Gardner, 35, spent years on the run after the sickening assault outside a bar in Liverpool in 2019.Gardner escaped to Spain after he was slashed in connection with the attack on the Scottish Premiership player - who was signed to Liverpool FC at the time, but was arrested on April 9 after returning to the UK for a family funeral, reports the ECHO.Gardner, who had been in 2021 - during his absence - admitted a further offence of breaching court bail and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.Liverpool Crown Court heard how 26-year-old Livi player Mr George "honestly thought" he was "going to be killed" after Gardner attacked him and his brother Lloyd Smith during the night out.In his evidence, the keeper - who joined the West Lothian club in 2022 - recalled having "about three drinks" throughout the evening and said he had not consumed any more alcohol as he had training the following day.He had been talking at the bar when Gardner jumped him and his brother.

CCTV footage of the incident showed him punching Mr Smith and Mr George before being dragged off.Gardner then launched a second attack on Mr George outside the venue, punching and kicking him to the ground.

He was left bleeding heavily from his eye, causing him to fear for his sight and his sporting career.Mr George told the court he had "never been so scared" in his life as his brother recalled him "screaming" in fear.

George's witness statement read: "I honestly thought I was going to be killed. I am only 22 years old and I didn't expect this to happen."I am not a fighter or a trouble causer but because of my job I