A DRUNKEN Rangers fan, who found himself locked up in the cells at Arbroath police office instead of watching his team’s 2-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon on Thursday evening, was fined £140 at Arbroath Sheriff Court yesterday.

George Bowman (29), Brechin Road, Arbroath, appeared from custody before Sheriff Norrie Stein and admitted that on the morning of April 10, in a common close in Brechin Road, he had two knives in his possession.

The court was told that at 6.30am, 7.50am, 8.20am and again at 9.15am on Thursday morning, Bowman had knocked on his downstairs neighbour’s door, tried the door handle and shouted to be allowed in.

On the last occasion the neighbour called the police and, while they were in his flat taking a statement ten minutes later, Bowman again knocked and shouted, “Come on, open the f****** door.”

On opening the door the officers were confronted by Bowman, who was holding two knives but dropped them when instructed to do so.

After being detained and handcuffed, Bowman told the officers he had be holding the knives “for a laugh” and added, “I was wanting in to watch the football.”

Defence solicitor Billy Rennie, who described his client’s behaviour as “bizarre and, unfortunately, brought on by drunken stupidity” told the court that Bowman and his neighbour were well known to each other and occasional drinking companions.

On the Wednesday evening, he said, there had been a suggestion that Bowman would be welcome to watch Thursday night’s Sporting Lisbon v Rangers match at his neighbour’s house.

Mr Rennie went on, “My client, unfortunately, then decided to stay up all night drinking and, on several occasions, thought it would be acceptable to go down to his neighbour’s flat to discuss the viewing arrangements for later.

“His neighbour did his best to ignore the repeated visits but eventually called the police and, ironically, it was on his final visit that he decided to take two butter knives with him as an ill-considered mock threat and had the door opened to him by police officers.”

Sheriff Stein observed that, as a result of his actions, Bowman had also found himself in custody rather than enjoying the football match.