Hibernian fan set off flare while high on cocaine near stadium

A Hibernian fan thought it would be a good idea to set off a flare while high on cocaine in front of police near the club’s stadium.

Dylan Crosbie was spotted carrying the pyrotechnic, something that is dangerous especially to hold when lit, while he was on his way to watch an Edinburgh derby in April 2019.

The 24 year old was seen “shouting and singing” and waving the device above his head as it poured out green smoke on Easter Road.

Police ended up dealing with him as he passed the Four In Hand pub and the male was forced to place the flare on the ground.

During a search it was found Crosbie was carrying a second flare, as well as a ticket for the big game and a bag of cocaine worth around £20.

Following his arrest, Crosbie, of Leith, Edinburgh, was then banned by Hibernian from attending home matches for three months.

The dad-of-one pleaded guilty to ‘culpably and recklessly setting off a pyrotechnic’ in close proximity to members of the public when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month.

He returned to the dock where Sheriff Adrian Fraser QC told him the club’s ban was “a sufficient penalty” and he would not be imposing a football banning order.

The sheriff told the fan he would have to carry out 112 (CORR) hours of unpaid work in the community as a punishment.

Previously the court heard hotel worker Crosbie was seen with the lit flare near the stadium as Hibernian were getting ready to face Hearts at around 11.40am on the 28th of April 2019.

Fans in the area were said to have been “alarmed” by his conduct and he was said to have been “heavily under the influence of alcohol” and had “consumed cocaine” at the time of the incident.

The Scottish Premiership match later ended in a 1-1 draw, you can see the highlights below…

Solicitor Victoria Good, defending, said her client was now in “a stable relationship” and the offence had been committed out of his “immaturity” at the time.

Crosbie admitted to culpably and recklessly setting off a pyrotechnic in close proximity to members of the public on Easter Road.

He also admitted a second charge of possessing a quantity of cocaine during the same incident.

NO PYRO, NO PARTY💚👀

— Dylan Crosbie (@DeeCee96) April 13, 2021

In a game between the two clubs earlier that month, a fan launched a coconut onto the pitch at Tynecastle.

Hibs scored in the 28th minute to make the scoreline 1-1, and in the aftermath of the goal, the tropical fruit was pictured on the playing surface.

Kick-off was delayed after supporters let off smoke bombs and both goals were celebrated with pyrotechnics in the usual team colours.

Referee Willie Collum had to stop play on a number of occasions to clear the pyro from the pitch before restarting the game again.

Ok I thought I’d seen about everything that could be thrown in a football pitch but a coconut in the Hibs v Hearts Derby pic.twitter.com/rE4pm3LeUA

— St Paulie (@PaulDeehan) April 6, 2019

Emergency services say that despite “creating an atmosphere”, they pose risks and can inflict “life-threatening” injuries.

Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Director of Prevention and Protection warned: “We are seeing a variety of pyrotechnics being used at stadiums and events across Scotland.

“Some people perhaps think it is a way of creating an atmosphere or promoting their team, but all forms of pyro – flares, smoke bombs and flash bangs- pose risks.

“There have been examples of flares being thrown onto pitches or towards individuals.

“People need to understand the potential consequences being struck by such an item can have – a flare can inflict life-threatening injuries as they burn at temperatures in excess of 1200 degrees.

“There’s also the added threat brought by smoke grenades, which emit toxic substances and can cause respiratory difficulty for people who are in attendance simply to enjoy a match or take in a concert.”

ACO Haggart added: “Ultimately, the overall message is a simple one: leave pyro to the professionals who host largescale events.

“Along with our partners, we’re absolutely committed to keeping Scotland safe – and we’d urge our communities to help us do so by working together to stamp out this dangerous behaviour.”

Maybe the way forward for using flares is to go about how Orlando City are over in the States.

In 2017, they opened their new stadium in style as safe standing and special area for flares and smoke bombs was introduced.

Orlando City have pyro seats pic.twitter.com/WMwZb2YufZ

— Darren Calder (@Dazzie1903) July 8, 2017

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