Footballer who punched ref gets second chance to appear in court

A FOOTBALLER who assaulted a referee has been given a second chance to appear in court.

Referee Alistair Aitken from Annan was punched in the face as he was about to red card Edinburgh City East player Jean Ferreira during an East of Scotland League match.

The referee suffered a burst lip, swollen side of the face and a loose tooth after the incident at Islecroft Stadium, Dalbeattie, while refereeing the Dalbeattie Star vs Edinburgh City match.

Twenty-seven-year-old Brazilian Ferreira, of Royston Avenue, Edinburgh, was due to be sentenced yesterday at Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court after earlier pleading guilty to the assault.

But procurator fiscal depute Alan Cameron said he was out of the country and would not be back until November. The Sheriff adjourned the case for five weeks.