Former Dundee and Scotland striker Leigh Griffiths has denied endangering St Johnstone supporters by booting a flare into a crowd at Dens Park and will go on trial later this year.
The ex-Celtic and Wolves player appeared in the dock and pled not guilty to culpable and reckless conduct.
The court was told the police evidence was agreed in the case but the Crown is seeking further information about the potential danger posed by the pyrotechnic device.
The trial was set for September after the court was told Griffiths is likely to be “away” during July when it would normally have been set down.
Does it matter if it’s ‘a flare… or pot plant?’
Fiscal depute Dev Kapaldia told Dundee Sheriff Court: “Having had a look at the case, the court might benefit from further inquiry into the flare.
“I know what they do but I don’t know how they operate.
“The significance is what the effect of it might be.
“It came from the crowd onto the pitch.
“I want to inquire further into what effect it might have within a crowded area if it comes back in.”
Sheriff George Way said: “Looking at it, it is kicking a smoke bomb or similar item.
“One would readily infer from that that the flare came from somewhere.
“How does it matter how it works? It is a description of a thing giving off flames, smoke or whatever and the defence will be along the lines of ‘this nasty thing came at me and I kicked it – the scary thing came flying at me and I kicked it.’
“Does it matter if it is a flare, or a smoke bomb, or a pot plant?
“I just wonder if you are wasting your own time and money?” he asked the prosecutor.
The charge
Sheriff Way fixed a trial during September and excused Griffiths from attending a pre-trial intermediate diet during August.
Griffiths, 32, was playing for Dundee when he allegedly struck a rival supporter with the pyrotechnic device during the game between Dundee and St Johnstone on September 22 2021.
It is alleged he “culpably and recklessly kicked a flare, smoke bomb or similar item into the crowd occupying the Bob Shankly Stand.”
The charge alleges that “in doing so, he did cause the said flare, smoke bomb or similar item to strike David Soutar on the body, all to the danger of the lieges.”
Prosecutors told the court they have CCTV evidence of the incident.
If found guilty, a conviction for the offence could potentially lead to a sentence of up to 12 months imprisonment.
Former Scotland star
Griffiths started his career at Livingston where he made his debut as a sixteen-year-old, before moving to Dundee in 2009 for £125,000.
He moved to Wolves for around £150,000 in January 2011 and spent a period on loan with Hibs, where he won the SFWA Footballer of the Year award.
Griffiths then moved to Celtic, where he scored 90 goals in 173 games, and established himself as a regular member of the Scotland squad.
He scored four times in 22 international appearances, including a double against England.
He moved back to Dundee on loan before recent unsuccessful spells with Falkirk and in Australia.
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