Teen assaulted girl, 16, and made rape threats
17-year-old warned he could be jailed for attack
A 16-year-old Perth girl has been left traumatised after a drunken, semi-naked youth claimed he was a vampire and tried to drag her into woods where he threatened to rape her.
Her 17-year-old assailant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had downed a cocktail of Jack Daniels and Dragon Soup, smoked cannabis and also “binge watched” a vampire series prior to the terrifying attack.
Perth Sheriff Court was told that the “out-of control” teen had earlier talked about angels, demons, vampires, witches and werewolves.
And during the alarming ordeal, which took place in broad daylight on the North Muirton housing estate, he told the hysterical female: “I could rip your throat out.”
The accused, who was described as “distressed and manic,” later told another youth: “I am dangerous, I’ll hurt you, I’ll hurt your family, I’m a vampire.”
Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney told Perth Sheriff Court: “He then crouched down and, upon standing back up, he let out a roar as if he was an animal.”
When police traced him in Gowans Terrace, he was topless, shoeless and had cuts to his torso, back and foot. He was also screaming that he was a vampire.
After officers arrested him and took him to Dundee Police HQ, he sank his teeth into PC Nathan Shields’ boot with such force that he bit right through it.
Sheriff Gillian Wade called for background reports before passing sentence on July 7.
But she warned the teenager: “Have no doubt, what I am considering is a custodial sentence.
“I will take some persuading to deviate from that.”
A victim impact statement was submitted by the girl who had been subjected to the sexual attack.
The sheriff noted: “It’s had a very serious psychological impact on her.”
The youth pled guilty to four of the counts on a 10-charge indictment.
He had his name added to the sex offenders’ register after he admitted sexually assaulting the girl on July 24, 2020, at Grammar Hill and Bute Drive, Perth, with intent to rape her.
He also repeatedly touched and seized a 14-year-old girl on the body at Dunnock Park and Kite Way, Perth, the same evening.
An allegation that there had been a sexual aspect to that was deleted.
In another incident shortly afterwards, he smashed the window of a car with his fist in Gowans Terrace before assaulting PC Shields at Dundee Police HQ.
Mr Sweeney said the encounter with the 16-year-old girl took place about 9.20pm and she described him as “pawing” or “groping” at her.
The accused then said: “I’m going to take you into the woods and I’m going to wipe your memory.”
He then added: “I am going to rape you in the woods.”
A female friend tried to intervene but the accused made comments about vampires, mind control and killing people.
He then grabbed the victim’s throat with one hand and with his other hand he twisted her around and threw her to the ground.
“The accused straddler her, put both hands around her neck and began to squeeze although she was still able to breathe,” stated Mr Sweeney.
“She went into survival mode as she thought the accused intended to drag her into the woods to rape her.
“She repeatedly screamed, scratched the accused’s back and front then kicked him in the genitals and body until he got up.
“The accused then began crying, said ‘no-one understood him,’ and ran off into the woods.
“She was in shock and crying hysterically.”
Solicitor David Holmes said his client couldn’t remember anything that had taken place.”
When interviewed at police HQ the following day, he was described as “entirely different”.
He was polite and co-operative, in sharp contrast to the previous evening.
“Whether he had unknowingly ingested something was unclear but he was totally out of control,” conceded his lawyer.
He had “binge watched” an entire vampire series and that may have resulted in his comments.
“When they were put to him, he was upset and remorseful but couldn’t remember.”
The accused, who lives with his father in Dundee, was granted bail while the background reports are prepared.