Four deny Caley Thistle fighting

Four football fans, who have been accused of sparking violence following a Scottish Cup derby match, will go on trial next month.

One 17-year-old from Inverness, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly threw coins at rival fans during the clash between Caley Thistle and Elgin City. The youth stands accused of being joined by two other 17-year-olds, who also cannot be named, from Inverness and Scott Mann, 22, from Elgin, in an underpass brawl.

All face an accusation of fighting with others in the tunnel running under the A96 Alexandra Road in Elgin near the bus station.

Yesterday the quartet maintained their innocence at Elgin Sheriff Court.

Footage of the underpass fight, which occurred shortly after Inverness beat Elgin 2-1 in the fiercely contested tie on January 21, spread quickly on social media following the match with about 200,000 views.

Specialist security crews and police managed to keep disorder to a minimum during the game, but tensions spilled over later in the town centre.

One of the teenagers’ defence solicitor, Robert Cruickshank, revealed he would be seeking CCTV footage of the fight which was spread online.

The quartet are due to stand trial at Elgin Sheriff Court on July 10.

Elgin City chairman Graham Tatters revealed specialist CCTV was brought in for the match.

He said: “Four people charged with offences following a match is four too many, but out of a crowd of 3,600, it’s not too bad.”