Hibernian fan Ryan Milne banned for carrying firecracker
A Hibernian supporter has been banned from watching his team play for the next 18 months after he was caught with a firecracker at a match.
Ryan Milne was caught after a group of Hibs supporters were seen igniting the incendiary devices at St Johnstone's McDiarmid Park in Perth.
The 20-year-old was given a football banning order as well as being sentenced to 210 hours of unpaid work.
The ban stops Milne from attending any Scottish Premiership or cup match.
Fiscal depute Robbie Brown told the court: "This was during a match taking place at McDiarmid Park. There had been a number of firecrackers set off.
"I'm not suggesting that was the accused, just giving the context of the incident. The accused was within a group the police thought the firecrackers were coming from.
"The accused was seen looking shifty and suspicious and moving an item about, so he was spoken to. He was fidgeting. He was told he would be searched for possession of a firearm."
He added: "He was taken from the ground and at the charge bar he was searched and found to be in possession of the firecracker flash."
Solicitor Iain Tweedie, defending, said: "He entered the ground without the item and it was passed to him. He accepts he was in possession of it.
"He is currently unemployed and lives with his mother. Until this incident, he was a regular attendee at football matches, both home and away.
"He understands he is likely to be made subject to a further period banning him from football matches. That will have a strong impact on an interest of his."
Milne, from Bonnyrigg in Midlothian, admitted possessing a firework during the St Johnstone v Hibernian clash on 14 September last year.
Sheriff Fiona Tait imposed the football banning order with a specific condition not to attend any Hibernian match during that period.
She said: "It is clear that difficulties are caused by the possession of such items at football matches. It was not set off but it requires to be treated seriously."