A teenage ‘ultra’ football fan has been fined for goading rival supporters in a New Year Angus derby between Arbroath and Montrose.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named, was part of a segregated crowd at the Links Park clash between the two sides on January 2, but failed to heed repeated warning from police to calm down when the rival groups engaged in half-time chanting.
And when he was searched after being taken out of the Montrose ground the youth was also found to have a small bag of cocaine in his pocket.
Forfar sheriff court heard the derby had been the subject of an increased police presence and segregation because of the behaviour of young ultra groups supporting both sides.
At half time there was a “lot of chanting and pointing at each other”, which quickly escalated and the accused was seen to move towards the fence separating the rival fans.
Sheriff Gregor Murray told the youth: “My overwhelming impression is that you are someone who is working, has money and has a lot of growing up to do very quickly.
Imposing a £400 fine to be paid within three months, the sheriff added: “Your behaviour is very much at the lower end of the scale and I am not persuaded that this is an appropriate case for a football banning order.”
See Friday’s Courier for more on this story.