A COUPLE brutally attacked a Celtic fan in his flat as he celebrated his team beating Rangers.

Martin Penman, 39, and Megan Cahill, 26, were part of a mob who stormed the home of Charles McGowan, 39, in Airdrie, Lanarkshire on December 8, 2019.

Celtic defeated Rangers that day 1-0 to win the Betfred League Cup.

Prosecutor Louise Beattie told the High Court in Glasgow: "Charles McGowan was listening to the game on the radio with two other people.

"All were celebrating the result and were in good spirits."

Penman, Cahill and others then burst into the flat and started shouting.

The hearing was told Penman was armed with a knife.

Miss Beattie: "Penman and Cahill began to assault Charles McGowan.

"They were both kicking him on the head and body while laughing at him.

"Penman slashed and stabbed him on the chest, neck and buttocks.

"Charles McGowan tried to fight back, but was overpowered."

During the five-minute attack, someone yelled: "That's enough. Don't kill him."

The thugs fled leaving Charles cowering in the corner of the room with his face covered in blood.

The court heard the victim's injuries included wounds to his head, stomach and eye. He has been left scarred for life.

Days later - in the early hours of December 14 - Penman smashed his way into the home of his ex in Airdrie.

He was again joined by Cahill as well as 27-year-old David Biggart.

The woman and her then 19-year-old boyfriend tried to barricade themselves in a room. She also dialled 999.

But, the attackers forced their way as the couple "rolled up" to protect their heads.

Miss Beattie: "Penman struck the woman with a hammer on her head and face. Cahill struck her with a hatchet.

"The woman saw her boyfriend being assaulted with the hammer and machete.

"She heard Penman shouting: 'Stab him...chop his fingers off'."

The court was told the 999 call was still open and the operator could hear the woman pleading with Penman.

The attackers fled when they were aware of police in the area.

Miss Beattie said the woman had a tooth knocked out as well as injuries to her head, lip, eyes and legs.

Her then-partner - who has since passed away - was more badly hurt including multiple fractures.

Penman and Cahill both pleaded guilty to assaulting the three victims to their severe injury with it also to the permanent disfigurement of two of them.

Biggart admitted to the same charges involving the incident on December 14 but insisted he was a "lookout" and had not played any active part in the violence.

Lord Richardson deferred sentencing until later this month in Edinburgh.