The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Boy, 16, admits killing Dundee dad-of-two
Man died after being punched during a row on the way home from a night out
A 16-year-old boy has admitted killing a Dundee father-of-two with a single punch.
John Watt died after he fell and hit his head on the road after being struck on the cheek by the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in the early hours of January 7.
Mr Watt, 50, suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.
He was taken to Ninewells Hospital but died 14 hours later after his life support machine was turned off.
The teenager pled guilty to culpable homicide when he appeared at Glasgow High Court yesterday.
Father-of-two, Mr Watt had been walking home on Albert Street at around 3.30am on January 7 when he was attacked.
He had spent the night in the Abode pub in the Seagate and at Rewind nightclub.
As he walked home he got involved in a row with a group of teenagers who were leaning out of a tenement window.
His attacker then left the flat and punched Mr Watt.
“
You punched this man causing catastrophic and unsurvivable injuries. LORD MULHOLLAND
Lord Mulholland said: “You have pled guilty to a very serious matter.
“You punched this man causing catastrophic and unsurvivable injuries.”
The teenager will be sentenced next month.
Two other teenagers have also been charged in connection with Mr Watt’s death and will appear in court at a later date.
After Mr Watt died, other regulars at the Abode Bar raised £500 to help pay for his funeral.
Subsequently staff and customers at the Abode put a plaque on his favourite chair in his memory.
Speaking at the time, landlady Karen Fox, said: “Watty was a really nice guy whose death has left the regulars at the Abode in total shock.”
Friends and neighbours of Mr Watt, who lived in Stobswell, spoke of their shock following his death.
Neighbour Archie Veitch, 23, said: “I think he had lived here a long time. When I moved in he came and introduced himself.
“He was a really lovely man who always made time to talk to you. It’s really hard to take in what has happened.”
Mr Watt was well-known in other pubs across Dundee, including the Arctic Bar at New Inn Entry in the city centre.
A post on its Facebook page stated: “What a sad day when you have to put such sad news on.
“Watty, one of our regulars, wellknown guy in and around Dundee, innocent guy who wouldn’t hurt anyone, would help you in a heartbeat and a good friend, sadly died today.
“Will be sadly missed.” smorkis@thecourier.co.uk