A TEENAGER who threw a firework at a police car during a Bonfire Night disturbance last year has been fined.

Connor McLeod launched the device, which exploded just two feet from the vehicle while two constables were sitting inside.

McLeod and two of his friend ran from the scene but the 19-year-old was soon caught after the officers gave chase following the incident in Tranent.

McLeod had a guilty plea to culpably and recklessly aiming the firework at the vehicle accepted by the Crown, despite being absent from Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Fiscal Jack Castor told the court that the officers were attending a separate incident at the town’s Loch Centre at about 9.40pm on November 5 last year.

While the two officers were within their vehicle and after McLeod and two others were spotted nearby, “a lit firework was set off and landed approximately two feet from their vehicle and exploded”.

The three males ran off and when McLeod was soon captured, the window cleaner was said to have admitted his guilt straight away and “apologised to the officers”.

Solicitor Mary Moultrie said that McLeod, of The Waggonway, Tranent, was 18 at the time and put the incident down to “immaturity” on her client’s part.

Sheriff Douglas Keir acknowledged that the offence was “a very serious matter” but agreed to deal with sentencing in the teenager’s absence.

Sheriff Keir added: “He can thank his lucky stars this was not more serious.”

McLeod was fined £150.

McLeod pleaded guilty to culpably and recklessly igniting and aiming fireworks at a police vehicle and causing the fireworks to land close to the vehicle at Blawearie Road, Tranent, on November 5 last year.