A FOOTBALL fan headbutted another man outside of East End Park because he believed he was 'spreading rumours' about him concerning a rape.

The victim was with his father and several young children when Andrew Duff approached him after a Pars v Queen of the South league match back in August.

Duff, 33, of Blamey Crescent, Cowdenbeath, previously admitted that on August 27, at Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, Halbeath Road, he assaulted a man and did butt him on the head to his injury.

Depute fiscal, Claire Bremner, told Dunfermline Sheriff Court that Duff and the victim were known to each other since they were young but had never been close friends.

“He was with his father and various children aged from six to eight," said the depute.

"They were leaving the stand and heading towards Halbeath Road. The man stopped briefly so his father could tie the laces of one of the children.

"He saw the accused and thought he was coming to chat. Duff lunged forward and headbutted him hitting his right eye, causing his glasses to come off.

"He shouted at the victim about a rape allegation and that he was not to talk to his father."

The victim sustained a swollen and bruised eye as a result of the attack.

CCTV was also able to show the incident.

Defence solicitor, Ian Beatson, said his client believed that the complainer had been spreading rumours about an alleged rape.

"He saw that he had a chance to speak to him at the football match and he lost his temper. He regrets that and the injury he caused," he added.

Sheriff Charles MacNair said: "This was a holly unprovoked attack.

"Whatever you had heard this was completely unacceptable and aggravated by being at a football match where it is notorious that violence can get out of hand. Children were also present."

He imposed a community payback order of 18 months supervision and 150 hours of unpaid work. Duff was also ordered to pay the victim £300 in compensation.