A teenager who was part of a gang which carried out a festive season tyre-slashing spree involving almost 40 vehicles in Montrose has avoided going to detention.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was one of four youngsters apprehended in the wake of incidents in the Angus town at the end of 2016 which left some locals stranded and facing huge bills to replace damaged tyres on their cars.
Police mounted a major operation to track down those responsible for the incidents which resulted in damage to nearly 40 cars in ten streets.
The youngster appeared for sentence before Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown at Forfar having previously admitted his part in targeting vehicles in Bents Road, New Wynd, Museum Street, Caledonian Place, Baltic Street, Erskine Street, Panmure Place, Ferry Street, Provost Reids Road and Russell Street, between December 15 and 29 2016.
The court was advised that the youngster was one of four youths who had carried out the multiple acts of vandalism.
His solicitor conceded that a custodial sentence would be considered by the court given the large number of vehicles involved.
Sheriff Martin-Brown imposed a Community Payback Order with a requirement for the teenager to carry out 150 hours unpaid work, noting that he was only 16 at the time and had spent 40 days on remand.
The court heard two of the other youths involved were not prosecuted as they were under 16.
An arrest warrant remains outstanding for another 17–year-old following his failure to appear at a previous hearing.