By Dave Lord

A PERTHSHIRE youth worker who assaulted two boys by hitting them on the head with a barbecue appeared at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday.

Paul Jamieson admitted hitting the boys—one aged 10 and one 12—at High Street, Blairgowrie, on November 13.

The 38-year-old shop owner pleaded guilty to grabbing the youngsters, pushing them, kicking them and striking them with the barbecue.

Jamieson, of Allan Street, Blairgowrie, insisted he only struck the boys as they had stolen the barbecue from his store.

The accused, who volunteers with the Angling For Youth development project, will be sentenced next month once reports have been prepared.

Solicitor Mike Tavendale said Jamieson had only intended to teach his young victims a lesson.

The two boys have now been reported to the children’s panel in connection with the incident.

“Mr Jamieson put his arms round both boys and grabbed the barbecue,” Mr Tavendale remarked.

“He accepts he shouted at them...his intention was to give them a good fright.”

The solicitor admitted Jamieson may have gone over the top.

“He kicked both of them in the backside with the intention of sending them on their way,” Mr Tavendale said.

“He then tapped them over the head with the barbecue and they ran off.

“It is clear he probably succeeded in giving them a fright, but perhaps he has gone too far in the circumstances.

“He has done something that perhaps would have been acceptable 20 years ago, but the way he behaved is not something that is acceptable in this day and age.”

Mr Tavendale said Jamieson was a “genuine first offender” and asked the sheriff to deal with the matter “in context.”

“The Angling For Youth project helps to get youngsters off the street and involved in the sport of angling, in which he has an active interest,” he told the court.

Depute fiscal John Malpass referred to the assault as “fairly minor” and added that the victims did not need medical attention.

Deferring sentence, Sheriff George Jamieson said the fact Jamieson had assaulted two children was worrying, regardless of what they might have done.