Detention warning for teenager who refused to wear tag

A teenager has been warned by a sheriff he is “talking his way to jail” after telling social workers he will not do community work or wear an electronic tag.

The Angus 17-year-old, who cannot be named, was criticised for his unhelpful attitude towards criminal justice staff who have been attempting to help him away from a crime spree which included an attack on his 16-year-old girlfriend and breaking a bail curfew.

In the September 5 assault, the youth spat on the girl, grabbed her by the neck and slapped her.

Defence solicitor Nick Markowski told Forfar Sheriff Court the teenager had been placed on the bail curfew in April when he appeared from custody in relation to a charge of theft.

He had breached curfew by returning 40 minutes late from a visit to his grandmother’s, the court heard. His lawyer said it was an offence borne out of immaturity.

“He’s now going to college and has a new group of friends who aren’t involved in trouble,” said Mr Markowski.

Sheriff Jillian Martinbrown told the teenager: “The social work report was pretty poor and there was a recommendation that you should smarten up your attitude.

“These are offences for which a community-based disposal would normally be appropriate.

“You won’t do unpaid work, you don’t have money to pay a financial penalty and you don’t want to have a restriction of liberty order.

“You can’t choose not to be sentenced or punished in any way and that leaves jail as the only option.”

She deferred sentence for four weeks.