AN ANGUS school pupil broke the nose of a female student who wanted to use the computer he was sitting at, Forfar Sheriff Court heard yesterday.

The victim later fainted in the school sick bay and had to be treated in hospital after receiving the blow from 16-year-old John Francesco Horsburgh.

Horsburgh, who earlier admitted assaulting the 15-year-old by punching her on the head to her injury at a secondary school on March 12, was ordered to return to the court on Thursday for sentencing.

Depute fiscal Donna Brown said Horsburgh, Durie Place, Edzell, had been at a computer in one of the music rooms at the school when he was asked by the girl if she could use it for her course work. The court heard he replied he would hurry up to finish what he was doing and was then hurried along by a member of staff.

Mrs Brown said the girl asked again if he could get off the computer and, after nudging him on the shoulder, he stood up and struck her on the face, causing her to fall back and her nose to bleed.

The fiscal said the victim was left with a broken nose, a whiplash injury to her neck and an impact injury to her left hip.

“The parents of this young lady were not impressed this had happened in school,” she said.

Mrs Brown said the army cadet admitted what he had done in an interview with police and stated he “did not mean to hit her hard.”

Keith Sym, acting for Horsburgh, said his client had “certain difficulties related to impulse control” and reacted badly to the actions of the girl. The solicitor said it was Horsburgh’s position that he had been pushed by the girl.

Sheriff Kevin Veal interjected and said, “His response was unacceptable. Not only did he assault a pupil, but a female.”

Mr Sym said Horsburgh had been subjected to bullying and although the victim did not bully him directly, she was an associate of those involved.

“There does appear to be a background to this,” said the agent.

He told the sheriff Horsburgh was excluded for two days after the incident.

“This is a young man who has never been in any trouble before,” Mr Sym continued. “This was one punch.”

The court was told the girl involved had now left the secondary school.

Sheriff Veal deferred sentence for reports on his status with the army cadets following the incident and his suitability for carrying out community service after learning Horsburgh suffered from epilepsy.