Aberdeen fan cleared of trying to punch police officer at Scottish Cup final

An Aberdeen fan has been cleared of trying to punch a police officer during last year's Scottish Cup final win over Celtic after he insisted he was gesturing along to a chant.

Fred Smith, 56, had been on trial over the incident at the game at Hampden in May, which Aberdeen won on penalties.

Smith told Glasgow Sheriff Court he had been singing an Aberdeen fan song and had his hands out to the side and fists raised up.

Sheriff Dianna McConnell stated she had found him a credible and reliable witness, and that there were "discrepancies" in the Crown evidence, which left her with a reasonable doubt as to his guilt.

The court heard Smith, of Prestonpans, East Lothian, had attended the match with his 23-year-old daughter.

Smith told the court in his evidence that he was on a stairwell when he was hauled to the front barrier by fellow fans.

Prosecutor Eilidh Macdonald said: "You claim that you were singing an Aberdeen fans song?"

Smith replied: "Yes."

She asked: "You made a gesture with your hands out to the side with two fists raised up?"

Smith again said: "Yes."

The fiscal depute put it to Smith that he was making a "punching motion".

He replied: "Not at all, as I have never attempted to punch anyone in my life."

His daughter Lauren gave an example of the fists-out gesture to the court and sang a line from the Stand Free chant.

When asked about her father's demeanour that day, she replied: "Buzzing, absolutely buzzing."

Smith was found not guilty of assault.