An Angus farm worker who admitted his role in a brutal Perth city centre assault has been ordered to pay his victim £400 compensation.
Richard Box was chased down by police after they saw him booting a 17-year-old rival to the head as he lay on the pavement.
Perth Sheriff Court heard the victim suffered a broken nose following the attack in Kinnoull Street last summer.
Box, 18, of Waverley Terrace, Arbroath, appeared in the dock and pled guilty to assaulting his victim to his injury “while acting with a juvenile” on June 21.
The court heard the teens had earlier in the day arranged on Facebook to meet up to settle their differences.
Tried to take refuge in pub
Fiscal depute David Currie told the court: “Just after 3pm, the complainer and a friend met up in Mill Street.
“The accused and another acquaintance were also in the area.”
He said: “An argument broke out between the accused and the complainer.
“The complainer tried to take refuge inside the nearby Sandeman pub, however given his age he was not allowed inside.”
The fiscal depute said: “After exiting the establishment, the male who was with the accused punched the complainer to the face.
“He kicked him, causing him to fall to the ground.
“The accused then kicked him to the face.”
Pursued by police
Mr Currie said: “By chance, police were driving through this part of Perth and saw what was happening.
“They gave chase to the accused and the other male who headed off in the direction of the High Street.”
The court heard the attacked teenager was left with blood over his swollen face.
“An ambulance was called but the complainer’s mother arrived and took him to Perth Royal Infirmary.
“There, he was X-rayed and was found to have a small break in his nose, which may heal in time without medical intervention.”
No explanation for assault
Solicitor Nick Whelan said his client, who works on a farm in Angus, had no criminal history.
“They had arranged on Facebook to meet up for a fight earlier that day,” he said.
Sheriff Francis Gill told Box: “There is no excuse for your behaviour. You have offered no satisfactory explanation.”
As well as imposing a compensation order, the sheriff fined the teenager £260.
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