Boy assaulted mum in row over games console

A teenager, who admitted assaulting his mother in an altercation over a birthday gift games console, has been warned he could face prison.

The 17-year-old from Oban, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had wanted to get a refund for the gift from his mum to raise enough money to travel to Glasgow in the hope of getting more gifts from other family.

Oban Sheriff Court heard how earlier this year the boy, who has no previous convictions, was at home alone with his mum when he asked for money to pay for his fare to the city.

Procurator fiscal David Glancy told the court how the games console had taken up all of the mother's savings leaving her with no disposable cash.

He told his mother he wanted to go to Glasgow to see family because they might have presents, said Mr Glancy.

She told him she could not afford the journey so he said he would return the games console to get a refund to pay for the trip. ‘That led to a physical altercation,' added Mr Glancy.

He seized her by the neck compressing her throat and only released his grip when she was struggling for breath. He then repeatedly punched and kicked her on the head and body, stamping on her.

The boy told his mother to stay on the ground.

He took the house phone and her mobile then left the house before calling the police himself and was waiting for officers when they arrived, admitting what he had done. During the police interview, he was ‘remorseful and certainly upset' said Mr Glancy.

Oban sheriff Patrick Hughes deferred sentence and called for reports including one on good behaviour warning it could end in a custodial sentence but adding: ‘Given your youth that should be the last resort.'