A security guard was sacked after dragging a child to the ground as a bicycle gang rampaged round a Dundee shopping centre.
Darren Stewart tackled the hooded teenage gang as they recreated a scene from the movie BMX Bandits in the Wellgate.
Stewart – who also lost his second job as a door steward and is now an actor – was asked by centre management to tackle the gang of cyclists as they caused chaos in the mall.
The group of six young cyclists entered the centre and took their bikes on the escalators to the top floor.
Fiscal depute Callum Gordon told Dundee Sheriff Court Stewart eventually caught up with one of the cyclists, grabbed him and pulled him to the ground.
The child told his parents who complained to the centre’s management.
No intention to harm biker
Mr Gordon said: “The complainer and five friends entered the centre on bikes and cycled round for a time.
“The accused was working in security at the time.”
Stewart, 30, admitted acting in a culpable or reckless manner by seizing the 13-year-old and pulling him from his bike on July 30 2021.
Solicitor Kevin Hampton, defending, said: “The centre is frequented by older people as there are budget stores in there.
“Six youths came in on bikes at ground level.
“The accused was working as a security guard.
“They go up the escalator twice and end up on the top level, riding around.
“He is tasked by management to try and stop this for fear of an older person or child being struck.
“They were riding quite fast along the walkways.
“He went to the top level and as the complainer comes round, he grabbed him.
“His intention was to grab him round the waist and stop the conduct and bring it to a halt as quickly as possible.
“He does catch the boy but it was never his intention to cause any harm.
“It was simply to stop this behaviour in the centre.”
Child complained to parents
Mr Hampton continued: “The boy went home and told his parents.
“Complaints were made to the Wellgate centre management and he was suspended, then dismissed.
“He also worked in local bars and clubs – licensed to be a door steward – and that licence was taken from him.
“He has now completely changed career.
“He has embarked on an acting career but that is in its infancy and work is difficult to come by and he is now on benefits.
“He has been punished here. The young man had no injuries.”
Sheriff John Rafferty said: “I will admonish you on the basis that you have suffered considerably as a result of this.”
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