FORMER Hibs footballer Derek Riordan has been fined £400 for head-butting a man in an Edinburgh city centre pub in December last year.
Riordan, from Edinburgh, who is thought to be back in training with the Easter Road club, admitted assaulting an unknown man in the Black Bull public house in the Grassmarket on December 6, 2014.
His plea of not guilty to acting in an aggressive manner and struggling with a door steward was accepted by The Crown.
Fiscal Depute, Alexandra Piper, told Sheriff Paul Arthurson QC that Riordan and friends were drinking in the bar when an argument started between him and another customer. "This got heated" she said "and the accused put his face right up close to the unknown male". She added that CCTV footage showed Riordan lunging forward and his head contacting that of the other man. The pair were separated and police called.
Riordan's defence solicitor, Kathleen More, said there had been no violent movement when contact was made. There was no suggestion of injury and the other man had made no complaint. Riordan, she added, had been on an night out with friends and family members. "It is quite clear that everyone on the CCTV was under the influence of drink, including the other man".
Riordan, who also previously played for Bristol Rovers, St Johnstone and Cowdenbeath, was not seeking any trouble.
"He had had a good night, but offensive remarks had been made to Mr Riordan, because of his status as a professional footballer, and under that provocation he lunged towards the man's head".
Ms More told Sheriff Arthurson that he was now training full-time with "a prominent Edinburgh club" thought to be Hibs.
"He has done very well for himself as a sportsman" she added "and is in a position to pay a financial penalty".
Sheriff Arthurson gave the player 28 days for payment.
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