A teenager who assaulted and robbed a stroke victim in his own home as he searched for alcohol and easy money has been detained for nine months.
Aaron De Schafta was called ”a menace” after he admitted targeting the 50-year-old man.
The 19-year-old burst into the man’s home in Perth along with an accomplice while both were heavily under the influence of alcohol.
He punched the man leaving him bleeding from a facial wound and demanded that he hand over money before apparently leaving the house empty-handed on being told that he had none to give.
After the pair were gone, however, it became apparent to the victim that he had been robbed of several items, including a laptop and his mobile phone.
Perth Sheriff Court was told De Schafta was known to his victim as he carried out handyman work for him. The man had been so grateful that he even lent the teen money.
De Schafta’s visit on the evening of September 15, however, was the result of different motivations, solicitor Linda Clark accepted, admitting that her client had committed ”an unpleasant offence”.
De Schafta and a friend drank a litre of vodka and a quantity of cider as they passed the complainer’s home.
The accused, the court was told, said that further alcohol could be had from the man’s home and, after spotting an unopened bottle of whisky on a worktop, they decided to enter.
Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said of the victim: ”He has suffered two strokes, is infirm and walks with the aid of a stick.
”He was punched as the accused shouted ‘Come on, give us your money’ and at this point the complainer recognised the accused by his voice.
”The two persons then left and it became apparent that property worth £455 had been stolen.”
Mrs Clark said: ”Mr De Schafta was apprehended shortly afterwards and a packet of cigarettes and the mobile telephone were recovered.”