Teenager who hit woman is spared detention

A woman was left with a gash on her eyebrow after being attacked in front of children.

Benjamin Cheyne also bit one police officer and punched another on the face after a rampage at his home on Restenneth Drive, Forfar.

The 19-year-old pled guilty at Dundee Sheriff Court.

Prosecutor Lora Apostolova said a group in Cheyne’s home had been getting on fine until he began to consume more alcohol and started challenging people to fight.

Cheyne’s solicitor said there had been “verbal jousting” between his client and another man.

Ms Apostolova said: “The woman got the children in order to leave but the accused punched her repeatedly several times to the face causing a 1cm laceration on the brow.”

The unsavoury scenes spilled into the street.

Police traced an intoxicated Cheyne, who was restrained on the ground after punching PC Alexandra Aitken on the face.

His abusive behaviour continued en route to, and at, police HQ in Dundee where he repeatedly spat at the charge bar area.

Cheyne tried to break free during a search and bit PC Sean Webster on the leg.

He pled guilty to repeatedly punching a woman, behaving abusively and attacking the two police officers on December 29 2019.

Sheriff Richard Mcfarlane placed him on supervision for two years and ordered him to perform 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay the woman £300 compensation.

The sheriff said: “There is every good reason to impose a custodial sentence.

“I can’t overlook your age and I think, just, there is an alternative to a custodial sentence.”