Saints fan fined for pitch invasion

A St Mirren supporter who invaded the pitch during a home game against Greenock Morton has been fined and warned to behave in future.

Matthew Armitt, 25, of Main Road, Paisley, leapt over the barrier and on to pitch with others when his team scored, Paisley Sheriff Court was told.

He quickly realised he had acted impulsively and made his way back to the terracing after spending “a matter of seconds” on the pitch.

However, police spotted what he had done and questioned and charged him during the match on August 6 last year.

Season ticket holder Armitt admitted momentarily running towards opposition supporters, but denied gesticulating at them, and “engaging in behaviour likely to incite public disorder.”

The Crown accepted his position and his guilty plea to the less-serious charge.

The court was told that a crowd of around 4,500 were at the game.

It was explained that around 200 St Mirren fans rushed from their seats and surged forward when their team scored a goal just after 4.30pm.

A handful of them, including Armitt, breached the security barrier and ended up on the field of play.

They were seen to move towards the stand of visiting supporters and police immediately went to usher them back.

A defence agent for Armitt said he had supported St Mirren for 20 years after being taken to his first game as a five-year-old by his father.

He acted impulsively but had only run a few feet before realising he had acted stupidly and went to return to his own area.

“He had only been on the field of play for a few seconds,” said the lawyer, stressing that Armitt was normally a lawabiding citizen.

It was explained in court that the club had not suspended him from games.

However, Police Scotland had requested that he be made the subject of a Football Banning Order.

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew said that, considering the circumstances, he felt that would be inappropriate.

Armitt was fined £300 to be paid at £25 per week.

Co- accused Joshua Magennis, 20, of the town’s Storie Street, walked free from court when the Crown accepted his not guilty plea to a charge that he obstructed and hindered police officers.