Man threw flatscreen television at teenager as he was lying in bed

Kirrie dad believed victim had broken his daughter’s phone

An Angus man threw a television at a drunk teenager’s head because he suspected he had broken his daughter’s phone, a court heard yesterday.

Grant Blackie, 43, of Slade Gardens, Kirriemuir, admitted a charge of assault at Forfar Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on August 14 he threatened the teenager with violence and then struck him on the head and body with a television.

Depute fiscal Nicola Gillespie said the teenager had been at a friend’s house and was drunk when he left the next morning.

“The accused’s daughter was on her paper round at around 8.15am when the complainer grabbed the phone from her and threw it on the ground,” she said.

“She went home and told her father about it.

“He went to the locus and couldn’t find the complainer and asked others to help show him where the complainer lived.”

Blackie knocked on the boy’s door and was told to wait on the doorstep by his mother, but let himself in and went to his bedroom.

“The mother saw the accused throw the television at her son who was still in bed,” Ms Gillespie continued.

When he was cautioned and charged by police, Blackie replied: “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go that far.”

Blackie’s defence solicitor, Lynne Sturrock, said his daughter had come across the group of boys grappling in the street.

“The complainer asked to use her phone and then threw it on the ground,” she said. “She returns home upset.

“Blackie goes into the house of the complainer, who is lying in bed still drunk and was refusing to discuss matters with him.

“He threw the television to try to get his attention.

“He recognises that more significant injury could have been sustained and understands that he should have picked up the phone and called the police rather than trying to sort it out himself.”

Ms Sturrock added that Blackie intended to compensate the family for the broken £400 Panasonic flatscreen television.

Sheriff Pino Di Emidio told Blackie: “I accept that your daughter was subjected to a very unpleasant incident that upset her.

“I think you appreciate that you can’t behave in this way. There might have been much more serious consequences.”

He fined first offender Blackie £300.

I think you appreciate that you can’t behave in this way. There might have been much more serious consequences. SHERIFF PINO DI EMIDIO

Picture: Wallace Ferrier. Limelight Youth Musical Theatre put on a production of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert at Arbroath’s Webster Theatre.The show was produced by Mike Carlin and directed by Donna Bell. The musical director was Billy Muir, choreographer was Ross Croll and stage manager was Grant Ewart.