Knife carrying youth spared time behind bars

Assaulted man at playing fields

A youth who attacked a man at playing fields while in possession of a knife has avoided jail.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in the dock at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday after earlier pleading guilty to a reduced charge of assault.

The court had heard how the East Kilbride teenager threw a brick at his victim at playing fields near to the Murray Owen Centre on June 9, last year.

He then struggled with his victim, punching and kicking him on the body.

The teenager had initially claimed to have acted in self-defence to stop others from attacking him but, on Friday, his lawyer said that his client “certainly didn’t” act in self-defence and that he now accepted this.

He went on to say how the youth had experienced difficulties in his life and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

However, he added, his circumstances have now changed – his relationship with his mother has improved and he has now moved back into the family household.

His lawyer said: “This is a young man who has had an extremely difficult upbringing and has struggled.

“He is far from an intelligent young man but he is able to engage and articulate his position.”

The court was told the teenager was due to start work as a trainee at a car garage in the town this week.

His lawyer added: “Only time will tell if he has learned his lesson.”

Sentencing, Sheriff Thomas Millar said: “This is a potentially serious matter but you seem to be recognising that now so I will give you a further opportunity.”

The court handed down a supervision order of 18 months as an alternative to custody.