A St Johnstone fan has been found guilty of being part of a rampaging mob that clashed with police and staff outside McDiarmid Park.
Lewis Macleod was amongst a throng of around 30 supporters who gathered at the Perth stadium to welcome players back after their historic Scottish Cup win in May last year.
The 23-year-old went on trial at Perth Sheriff Court accused of being part of a “disorderly crowd” that threw flares, smoke bombs and other pyrotechnics at police and security officers.
Macleod denied the charge, insisting although he was at the stadium, he was not causing any trouble.
After three days of evidence, spread over as many months, Macleod was convicted of an alternative breach of the peace charge.
It states he conducted himself in a disorderly manner and formed part of a disorderly crowd which did shout, swear and throw flares and smoke bombs at police and security staff and attempt to force its way through a temporary security fence.
Part of the charge which stated security officer Margaret McKenna was injured by one of the missiles was deleted.
Macleod, of Belmont Park, Scone, will be sentenced next month.
How celebrations went ‘pear-shaped’
Around 23 people were charged following the disturbance.
16 months on, Macleod is only the third person to be convicted.
During the trial, veteran security guard Kevin Smith told how he was forced to retreat from a group of advancing fans when the post-match celebrations went “pear-shaped”.
The 60-year-old, who was in charge of nine security officers, said dozens of jubilant supporters were outside the grounds to welcome players back from their win at Hampden.
But the atmosphere changed when the coach arrived and “aggressive” fans charged into a restricted area at the side of the stadium.
“I have never had so many items thrown at me at one time,” he said.
“There seemed to be hundreds of things.
“I pulled my cap down to try and protect my eyes.”
Mr Smith said: “One flare landed next to my foot and melted the side of my boot.”
‘Encouraging himself and others’
Police officer James Marshall told the trial he trawled through CCTV to identify those responsible.
“Police Scotland had received intelligence about this incident and Mr Macleod’s name was mentioned.
“I don’t know the source of this intelligence.”
PC Marshall said the CCTV footage – shown in court – showed a “rowdy” group of supporters gathered outside the stadium.
The constable identified Macleod in the footage and told the trial he was “very much involved… very much encouraging himself and others.”
But during questioning by solicitor Pauline Cullerton, defending, he agreed Macleod was not at the front of the group and was not seen throwing pyrotechnics.
Guilty pleas
In June, father-of-three Anthony Green admitted his role in the disturbance.
The 43-year-old was one of only a few men caught on CCTV who wasn’t wearing a mask.
He was fined £3,000, but Sheriff Lindsay Foulis did not ban him from attending football matches.
“This sort of behaviour needs to be stamped out,” the sheriff said.
Four weeks later, Lindsay William-Bayley pleaded guilty to the breach of the peace charge.
The court heard the 28-year-old was “no instigator or ringleader” but “got caught up in the melee”.
Sheriff Kirsty Hood fined him £270, but she also ruled out a football ban.
Sheriff Donald Ferguson deferred sentence on Macleod until October 18.