THE TEENAGE son of millionaire Perthshire bus tycoon Brian Souter carried out a drink-fuelled attack on a fellow partygoer who taunted his family, Perth Sheriff Court heard yesterday.

Scott Souter (18), whose family owns Stagecoach, admitted chasing down the car of his 20-year-old victim on the A912 between Glenfarg and Bridge of Earn on August 8 and punching him three times through an open window.

Sentencing the former Dollar Academy pupil, Sheriff Michael Fletcher said it was an offence that could carry a custodial sentence and that Souter had ample time to reconsider his actions before the assault.

But he called it an “unfortunate incident” and took into account the fact Souter and the complainer had since shaken hands.

Souter, who now lives in Meadowplace Road, Edinburgh, was ordered to pay his victim £400 compensation and fined £200.

The court heard there had been tension between the complainer and Souter following comments about his family at the party in Glenfarg.

Depute fiscal John Malpass said, “The accused was not known to the victim before the evening of August 7.

“During the evening there appeared to be some tension between them and some alcohol was consumed.

“As a result the complainer and his friends made their way home from Glenfarg to Bridge of Earn.

“During that journey the complainer was aware of a vehicle at their rear flashing its lights.

“The complainer slowed down to allow the vehicle to pass and the vehicle then stopped in front of them.

“There was some shouting and the now-accused punched the complainer several times to the face through the open window.”

The matter was reported to the police and Souter was detained on August 19. He was interviewed and admitted he was at the party when the person began to make fun of his father.

He claimed that when the person was leaving he shouted obscenities and it was only then Souter decided to follow in a car.

He was arrested and charged with assaulting a 20-year-old man to his injury by punching him repeatedly to the face and head on the A912 between Glenfarg and Bridge of Earn on August 8.

Representing Souter, Paul McBride QC, said his client, who was 17 at the time of the incident, had a favourable background and a low risk of re-offending.

He continued that Souter had admitted his involvement to police at the earliest opportunity, accepted full responsibility and appeared to show genuine remorse.

He asked the sheriff to show clemency saying, “It was an act of stupidity at the age of 17 under the influence of alcohol and with a background of abuse to his family.”