Two Aberdeen fans who were found in possession of smoke bombs at Tannadice on New Year’s Day have been warned they “almost inevitably” face prison sentences.
Findlay Duncan and Nicholas Simmers were both also banned from attending any senior football matches in Scotland as a condition of their bail orders and told they would be subject to football banning orders when they return to court for sentence.
Duncan, 21, Kellands Road, Inverurie, and Simmers, 29, Albury Road, Aberdeen, admitted being in possession of, in Duncan’s case a smoke grenade, and Simmers, three flares, on January 1 at Tannadice Park.
Depute fiscal Douglas Wiseman told Dundee Sheriff Court that before the match police were called to a nearby public house after a flare had been set off.
Police then received intelligence that Simmers was in possession of smoke flares and identified him near the ground.
He was stopped and asked if he had anything he shouldn’t have on him and he replied: “Yes, I have smoke bombs”, and handed over two of the devices from his coat pocket.
A third item was recovered from his underwear.
Solicitor Ann Johnston said: “Mr Simmers was given them by a friend before the game. He hadn’t appreciated the danger or the consequences of his actions.”
Calling for reports, Sheriff Tom Hughes told Simmers: “Foremost in my mind will be that I will be imposing a custodial sentence for this.
“I will grant you bail and as a condition of that bail order you will be banned from attending any football match under the auspices of the SPFL or the SFA.”
Sentence was deferred on Simmers until January 27.
Mr Wiseman said Duncan was in the ground and several flares had been let off at the West Stand.
Police entered and saw Duncan with a black canister. When he saw the officers he was seen to place the canister under his seat.
He was arrested and taken to Bell Street HQ.
The sheriff imposed the bail order condition banning Duncan from attending any match organised by the SPFL or the SFA and deferred sentence until January 24.