Teen is fined for assault

Attacked two men

A three-figure fine was the punishment for a Stirling teenager who assaulted two men outside a city centre pub.

Declan Lowe, 18, repeatedly punched one of the men on the head and body before carrying out a similar attack on another man.

The incident happened on Baker Street on February 15.

The Cecil Street resident, who was acting with others at the time of the attack, was fined at Stirling Sheriff Court last week despite not being there in person to take the punishment.

The court heard how Lowe wasn’t present in the dock as he is currently in the first year of an apprenticeship and was desperate not to scupper his chances of fulltime employment by missing a day.

The Crown explained that, on the day of the incident, both complainers were outside a pub smoking when Lowe and two others walked past.

At this point a hostile conversation began before the accused assaulted the complainers. There had been a history of ill feeling between the victims and accused.

Defence solicitor Greg Cunningham said: “Those involved in the incident are all from the same age group and Mr Lowe accepts full responsibility.

“He is full of regret and remorse.

“Basically, they don’t get along and he took it too far.”

Sheriff William Gilchrist said that he was prepared to deal with the case there and then despite Lowe’s absence – fining him £400.