A Dons fan has been fined after headbutting a Pittodrie steward who tried to stop him leaving a match early through a fire exit.
Alexander Noble was among a crowd of disappointed Dandies streaming out of Pittodrie early during Aberdeen’s 3-1 home defeat to FK Qarabag on August 26.
But the 65-year-old tried to leave through an emergency exit, and when the steward manning it tried to stop him, Noble headbutted him.
Police had earlier released a CCTV image of Noble in abid to trace him in relation to the incident.
Fiscal depute Victoria Kerr told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “At 9.10pm the complainer was in position at gate 8 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 8.
“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”.
Steward left with bruising and swelling to his eye
Ms Kerr said: “Then the complainer felt a blow to his face and believed he had been headbutted.”
Other fans then intervene and Noble was removed from the area.
The steward was left with swelling and bruising to his right eye but did not require medical attention.
Noble, of Deansloch Terrace, Aberdeen, pled guilty to a charge of assault to injury.
Accused can’t remember incident due to medication
Noble, who appeared representing himself without a solicitor, told the court: “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 ordered Noble to pay a fine totalling £420.
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