Footballer Kyle Benedictus had sentence deferred at the city’s sheriff court after admitting carrying out two assaults.
The 19-year-old punched Jamie Ross and Daryn Moran, and the court heard he also shouted abuse at his former girlfriend Hayley Macnamara.
Depute fiscal David Cobb said Benedictus and Miss Macnamara had broken up in the run up to the New Year, but that on the night in question the footballer was trying to find her.
Around 11pm on January 2, Benedictus, accompanied by another, went to the door of a flat in Tannadice Street and despite being asked to go away pushed into the property.
He then carried out the assaults before police were called to the property.
“It seems that the accused went straight for Moran who received several punches in the face and that caused him a cut lip and swelling,” Mr Cobb said. “During this the accused was shouting things… to his former girlfriend in the course of all this.
“Mr Ross also received a punch in the face and his face had a redness as a result.”
Benedictus, of Finella Place, admitted that on January 2 he conducted himself in a disorderly manner, shouted, swore and made threats of violence and assaulted Jamie Ross and Daryn Moran.
The court was told that one of the witnesses in the case was Benedictus’ former girlfriend, Hayley Macnamara.
Neither of the two men injured in the attack required medical attention.
The right back, who played for Dundee FC against Dunfermline on Tuesday night, appeared in court wearing a navy blue suit with dark blue tie. He was accompanied by Dens chief executive Harry McLean who said the player had the 100% backing of the club, despite his convictions.First offenceBecause it was Benedictus’ first offence, Sheriff Tom Hughes ordered social inquiry, restriction of liberty and community service reports, and deferred sentence to April 20.
Benedictus’ bail, which includes conditions that he does not approach Mr Ross, Mr Moran or Miss Macnamara and that he is banned from Tannadice Street other than for commitments at Dens Park, was continued.
After the case Mr McLean would not say whether the club would impose any censure of its own. He added, “The legal process hasn’t been completed yet.”
Speaking later, Mr Moran (16), who works with a housing association, said he wished the whole episode had never happened. He said it had been a “drunken mistake,” and said he hoped the incident would not affect Benedictus’ employment with Dundee FC.
He had no grudge against Benedictus over what had happened and just wanted the whole thing to go away.
Mr Moran said, “I just want to let it be, to be honest, as it was a drunken mistake. I have never had bother with him before and that one night was just a wee bit stupid.
“I just want to get on with my life and I’ve not got a problem with him. I have known Kyle and Hayley for a few years as Kyle was at the same school as me, and so was Hayley. It was just something stupid.
“His job is important to his family and it is important to him, so I didn’t want to get him.”