JUSTICE AT LAST

Thug left Shamal lying in pool of blood then fled to Spain

- IONA YOUNG

A THUG who left Livingston goalie Shamal George lying in a pool of blood after a brutal bar attack has finally been brought to justice.

Ross Gardner, 35, went on the run after the sickening assault outside the Red Door pub in Liverpool in 2019.

Gardner fled to Spain after he was slashed in connection with the attack on the player - who was with Liverpool FC at the time but was arrested on April 9 after returning to the UK for a family funeral.

Gardner, who had been convicted in his absence, admitted breaching court bail and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Liverpool Crown Court heard how Shamal, 26, thought he was "going to be killed" after Gardner attacked him and brother Lloyd Smith.