Leigh Griffiths denies Edinburgh assault charge

The footballer appeared at Edinburgh's Justice of the Peace court today. Picture: TSPL

LEIGH Griffiths has appeared in Edinburgh’s Justice of the Peace Court to answer to a charge of assault.

The 23-year-old Celtic and Scotland footballer confirmed his name after entering the dock today. His defence solicitor, Kathleen More, said her client was maintaining his plea of not guilty.

It is alleged that on June 19 last year on North Bridge, Edinburgh, Griffiths assaulted Craig Shearer by seizing him by the neck, seizing him by his clothing and pushing him on to the roadway.

The alleged incident is said to have occurred while Griffiths was in Edinburgh on loan to Hibs from Wolves, whom he had signed for in January 2011. Having played for the Edinburgh Premier League club for the whole of the season 2011 -2012, he returned to Wolverhampton during Season 2012-2013 and moved to Celtic earlier this year.

Trial was fixed for April 17.