A lorry driver has admitted assaulting a 13-year-old boy who played chap-door-run on his Perth flat.
Wojciech Ropa said he was “at the end of his tether” when he pounced on the youngster, dragged him into the street and punched him in the face.
The 46-year-old called police but when officers arrived, they found Ropa holding the boy by the lapels and pushing him around.
“That is the Polish way,” he told them.
Not the desired outcome
Ropa appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting the teen to his injury outside his home in North William Street, on January 19 last year.
Fiscal depute Dev Kapadia said: “Between 7.30pm and 8pm, the complainer and a friend were within the common close.
“They were playing chappy by banging on people’s doors to try and provoke a chase.”
He said: “On hearing banging from further along the close, the accused contacted police to report the matter.
“He continued listening to the banging and went behind his front door.
“Sure enough, his door came to be banged by the complainer and the accused ran out into the common close.
“He got hold of the complainer, pulled him into the street and punched him to the head.
“It was at this point that the police who had been contacted came upon the situation.”
Mr Kapadia said: “They saw the accused holding the boy by the collar of his jacket and pushing him about.
“It was clear that this was not what the boy had anticipated would be the outcome of his game.
“He was crying and visibly upset.”
Police pulled Ropa away from the child.
The court heard the youngster was left with superficial marks and grazing to his face.
He was taken to Perth Royal Infirmary for treatment.
Ropa shouted to officers: “This guy was banging at my door, so I pushed him and punched him.
“That is the Polish way.”
Full of remorse
The court heard Ropa arrived in Scotland in 2006 and was sending money home to his sick wife in Poland.
His lawyer said: “Around this time, Mr Ropa was frequently visited by youths who were making nuisances of themselves to him and other residents.
“He works as a lorry driver and this happened on one of his rest days.”
She added: “He tries to do the right thing but on this occasion, he was at the end of his tether.
“He is embarrassed that he behaved the way he did. He is full of remorse.”
Sheriff David Hall fined Ropa £420.
“I have taken into account the circumstances behind the commission of this offence and your previous good character,” he said.
For the latest court cases across Tayside and Fife, join our Courts Facebook page.
