No jail for thug who hit man three times
Attacker punched and kicked victim out shopping
A thug who attacked a man 45 years his senior three times as he collected his shopping was spared a custodial sentence this week.
But Sheriff Lindsay Foulis warned 20-year-old Ross Adams: “You have got to take a tumble to yourself and realise what you did last year was out of order.
“You attacked a man who is 45 years older than you for very little reason. And you didn’t do it once - you did it repeatedly.
“If you continue to act in that way, you will ultimately lose your liberty.”
Adams, a groundworker, of Morrison Terrace, Alyth, was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work as a “direct alternative” to time behind bars.
He will also be supervised by a social worker for a year after he admitted assaulting 65-yearold Allan Fleming by repeatedly punching him on the head, repeatedly kicking him on the body and repeatedly knocking him to the ground in Commercial Street, Alyth, on July 3, 2020.
The OAP was initially punched and kicked by Adams outside a convenience store.
He fell to the ground, scattering the groceries he had been carrying, Perth Sheriff Court was told.
But as he picked them up and got back to his feet, the cowardly accused aimed more punches and kicks at him - and again he collapsed.
“The complainer got back to his feet again and gathered his goods before being punched, kicked and knocked to the ground by the accused for a third time,” stated depute fiscal Matthew Kerr.
The violent confrontation only ended when a friend of the accused pulled him away.
Adams then “walked off in the opposite direction to the complainer”.
The incident was captured on CCTV and the accused was later traced.
He reported to Blairgowrie Police Station almost a week later in response to a message which had been left for him.
Although no injuries had been sustained by the pensioner, another sheriff said he wanted more information on the accused in the aftermath of what was a “concerning” assault.
Mr Kerr said the OAP and a friend had gone to the shops shortly before 9pm and were outside having a smoke after buying their groceries.
As the accused left the shop, he shouted a comment to which the complainer replied: “Don’t you talk to me.”
Adams then suggested they should resolve matters “right now.”
The complainer replied: “No we won’t” but the accused then began the attack.
Solicitor Paul Ralph said the accused had been drinking with a friend and believed there had been an argument in the pub with the victim earlier.
Adams would be willing to pay a fine and compensation.
But Sheriff Foulis said a background report did not make “great reading.”
He added: “The impression given is that you don’t really see what all the fuss is about, to some extent.
“You don’t have a significant record although it does indicate a tendency to violence.”
The accused’s previous conviction resulted in him being fined £600 at the Perth court in June, 2019, for behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.