Soccer star hopeful jailed

McCabe is led from the court building

A Scotland schoolboy footballer who dreamed of turning professional has been jailed for carrying out two serious assaults.

John McCabe, who has played for his country at under 14 and under 15 levels, was given a three years and nine months prison sentence on Friday.

Before sentencing, Judge Lord Kingarth was shown the 17-year-old's Scotland caps and other football awards.

McCabe's counsel told the High Court in Edinburgh that it was his client's dream to pursue a career as a professional player.

These were offences which caused serious injury and could have resulted in much worse

Lord Kingarth

As well as playing for his country he had been voted player of the year at Dundee Celtic Boys.

McCabe, who has not been in trouble with the law before, was convicted of assaulting his mother's partner, Jackie Ramsay, to his severe injury and the danger of his life on October 17 last year in Calderwood Close, Dundee.

He also admitted hitting 19-year-old Ross Ottaway with a metal bar.

Lord Kingarth said: "I take into account your age, both now and at the time of the offences, and of the generally favourable comments made in all the reports.

'Fulfil potential'

"On the other hand for anyone to use repeatedly, as you did on both occasions, weapons in a public place in an attack on someone else is a matter this court has to take seriously.

"These were offences which caused serious injury and could have resulted in much worse."

He added: "I am entirely clear no sentence other than a custodial sentence can properly reflect the seriousness of them."

The judge ordered that McCabe should be detained in a young offenders' institution and also placed him under a supervised release for 12 months after his release.

He told McCabe: "I hope you will take advantage of the supervision you will get to fulfil the obvious potential you had and still have after this matter is dealt with."