Sheriff slams Falkirk fan over East End smoke-bomb

A FALKIRK fan has appeared in court after throwing a smoke bomb on to the pitch during a recent match at East End Park.

A sheriff was clearly not impressed by the antics of 18-yearold Kieran Turner, saying the throwing of smoke bombs was becoming a “plague” at Scottish football grounds.

Turner, of Lawers Place, Grangemouth, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on September 17, during the Pars v Falkirk match at East End Park, he recklessly threw a smoke bomb towards the field of play, causing danger.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said the incident took place at 3.30pm after Turner had gone to the match with friends.

“There was thick blue smoke coming from it after it had been thrown onto the field of play,” she added.

Turner was arrested as he left the stadium at 4.40pm and denied initially that he was responsible. However, the incident had been captured on CCTV and he later admitted his guilt.

Defence solicitor Simon Hutchison said: “He and his family have never been involved in criminal matters before.

“He had gone with friends to a public house before the match. Someone was selling flares and, stupidly, he bought one. Then, later, stupidly, he threw it and it landed on the side of the pitch.

“He’s very remorseful for getting involved in this.”

Sheriff Andrew Berry said: “The throwing of smoke bombs seems to becoming something of a plague at football matches.

“This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing and the consequences could have been extremely serious. I believe a nine-year-old child was injured by a flare at another stadium recently.”

Sheriff Berry called for reports and Turner will be sentenced on November 2. He has been banned from attending football matches in Scotland until then.

Before the Pars-Falkirk match there was violence between rival fans in the centre of Dunfermline.