Fan headbutted a Pittodrie steward

ADons fan has been fined after headbutting a Pittodrie steward who tried to stop him leaving a match early through a fire exit.

Alexander Noble, 65, was among a crowd of supporters streaming out of Pittodrie early during Aberdeen’s 3-1 home defeat to FK Qarabag of Azerbaijan in the Europa Conference League on August 26.

He tried to leave by an emergency exit and when the steward tried to stop him, Noble struck him.

Police released a CCTV image of Noble to trace him.

Fiscal depute Victoria Kerr told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “At 9.10pm the complainer was in position at gate eight and became aware of a large number of people leaving the stadium early.

“He directed fans towards the nearest designated exit, which was not gate eight.

“As he did this, the accused approached the gate and pushed the door open and proceeded through it.

“The safety steward attempted to prevent him from exiting and directed him towards a designated exit.

“The accused reached over and pulled off the complainer’s facemask.”

Another supporter then saw the two involved in a “heated verbal altercation”.

Ms Kerr said: “Then the complainer felt a blow to his face and believed he had been headbutted.”

Other fans then intervened and Noble was removed from the area.

The steward was hurt but did not need medical help.

Noble, of Deansloch Terrace, Aberdeen, pled guilty to assault to injury.

Noble, representing himself, said: “I really can’t remember much about it. I presume it was because I was on medication at the time, liquid paracetamol and morphine.

“I really can’t remember exiting the stadium at all.

“It was someone else that opened the door. I can’t remember opening any doors.

“I can’t remember getting home that day.”

Sheriff Ian Miller fined Noble £420.

Then the complainer felt a blow and believed he had been headbutted

FINED: Alexander Noble represented himself in court.