A Perth man was attacked and abused by two teenage thugs at the entrance to his block of flats.
The man was headbutted by 19-year-old neighbour Cameron Mullen as he tried to make his way on home on August 13 last year.
He was yelled at by Archie Mansell, also 19, who urged his mate Mullen to “hit him again”.
The victim managed to escape the pair and ran inside his flat.
When police arrived, Mullen and Mansell “helpfully” appeared at his window and started shouting at officers.
Their victim was able to identify them to police and the pair were arrested.
Both appeared at Perth Sheriff Court.
Mullen, of Nimmo Avenue, admitted assault and Mansell pled guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards the complainer.
Tensions boiled over
Fiscal depute Dev Kapadia told the court: “The complainer is a neighbour of Mr Mullen.
“There had been tensions between them.
“At 7.45pm, (the complainer) walked towards the communal door of the block as he headed towards his own flat.
“Mr Mullen and Mr Mansell were waiting at the entrance.
“The complainer became aware of their presence.
“Mr Mansell started shouting towards him in an aggressive manner.”
The fiscal depute said: “Mr Mullen then headbutted him, causing him to take a couple of steps back in surprise.
“Mr Mansell was shouting to Mr Mullen, telling him to hit him again.
“He continued to talk to the complainer in an aggressive manner.”
Gave themselves away to police
Mr Kapadia said: “(The complainer) became extremely concerned that he was about to be further assaulted.
“He got away to his block and into his flat, where he called the police.”
Officers said he was visibly “shaken” when they arrived at his flat.
The prosecutor told the court: “Helpfully, Mr Mullen and Mr Mansell appeared at the window of the flat and began to shout at police.
“The complainer immediately identified them.”
Both teenagers were arrested and taken to Dundee police station.
Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said: “They appear to have taken their appearance in court very seriously.”
Sheriff Charles Lugton placed Mullen on a structured deferred sentence and ordered him to engage with the Right Track programme for young offenders.
A review was set for May 23. Mansell, of Hamilton Place, will also be sentenced on that day.
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