Teen to stand trial accused of pitch invasion charges in Paisley
A teenager appeared in court today charged with invading the pitch during a Scottish football derby - and potentially causing a riot.
A teenager appeared in court today charged with invading the pitch during a Scottish football derby - and potentially causing a riot.
Liam Mullen, 18, is said to have acted in a way which "would be likely to incite public disorder" during the St Mirren v Greenock Morton match in Paisley on Saturday, August 6.
Prosecutors claim he jumped a barrier, ran on to the pitch and made gestures towards rival fans - and tried to have him banned from going to all football matches in the UK as he awaits trial over the alleged offence.
But they failed in their bid after a sheriff said the move was heavy-handed.
Mullen, of Paisley's Douglas Street, is being prosecuted under Section 1(1) of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act 2012 over his alleged behaviour.
The charge against him states that he "did engage in behaviour of a kind... which would be likely to incite public disorder" because he did "climb over a barrier, enter the field of play and gesticulate towards opposition supporters" while "within a ground where a regulated football match was being held."
The game in question was the Renfrewshire derby on August 6 this year - the first time the teams has played each other in the league in 15 years.
It ended in a 1-1 draw, thanks to headed goals from Morton's Thomas O'Ware and St Mirren substitute John Sutton, meaning Morton have no beaten St Mirren in a competitive fixture for 17 years.
Mullen's solicitor, Jonathan Manson, told Sheriff James Spy his client was pleading not guilty to the charge against him.
Procurator Fiscal Depute Emma Jeffrey, prosecuting, said the Crown were seeking special conditions of bail.
She explained: "That the accused does not attend any football match in the UK and also doesn't attempt to enter any stadium on the day when a game's being played." Sheriff Spy replied: "It does seem to me that the special condition you're seeking is a bit of an overkill - do you want to narrow it at all?"
Jeffrey, prosecuting, then asked for Mullen to only be banned from entering St Mirren's ground, which is in Paisley's Greenhill Road.
Sheriff Spy agreed, released Mullen on bail with the condition that he does not enter St Mirren's stadium, and adjourned the case.
A trial is due to take place in December, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for November.