A Kirriemuir teenager who hit a 16-year-old pal with a bottle in a town centre fall-out has avoided custody.
John Mitchell left his friend permanently scarred after lunging at him with the broken bottle, cutting him on the hand as he raised his arms to protect himself.
Following a deferral in the case for the preparation of full reports into Mitchell’s background, a sheriff said he had escaped detention because of his age, lack of record and willingness to change his life for the better.
Mitchell, who turned 18 in December, previously admitted the serious assault indictment relating to the incident in Kirriemuir’s Kirk Wynd in September 2013.
The court earlier heard the victim was an associate of Mitchell and they had been part of a town centre group of youths that evening.
Following an argument between two other boys, Mitchell took exception to comments made and he fell out with the complainer.
At about 10.30pm, Mitchell told his victim he wanted to speak to him nearby and then reached behind his back and produced the broken bottle.
The victim suffered a flap incision to his finger and required eight paper stitches, which has left permanent scarring and a tingling sensation when he lifts heavy weights.
Defence solicitor Angela McLardy said Mitchell, of Bellies Brae, Kirriemuir, lost his job because of the amount of time he had to take off to attend court and that had had a significant impact on him.
“He has been unable to obtain any employment and is looking to go to college.”
She added: “There seems to have been a period of time where things just went completely wrong for him.
“He appreciates the seriousness of the situation that he is in and appreciates that it has a bigger impact on his future, in terms of employment and education.
“He is aware of the risk of a custodial sentence,” said Ms McLardy.
Sheriff Gregor Murray told Mitchell: “I want to make it clear at the outset that in terms of the indictment case you deserve to go to jail.
“Two things save you from that course of action: one is your willingness to change things and the second is your age and lack of convictions.”
Sheriff Murray ordered Mitchell to carry out the maximum 225 hours of unpaid work as under an 18-month community payback order.
“A review will be fixed for six months time, when I expect you to have completed each and every work party that you have been offered,” said the sheriff.