A teenager has been spared a custodial sentence despite permanently disfiguring a 12-year-old girl by throwing items from the top of a derelict building.
Sheriff Norrie Stein told 18-year-old Daniel Barker, of Falkland Crescent in Broughty Ferry, that his “reckless and stupid” act resulted in “appalling” consequences for his victim.
At an earlier appearance, Barker who has an assault conviction admitted culpably and recklessly throwing pieces of board from the top of Seaview House in Hill Street, Monifieth, on March 11 last year.
It resulted in one of the pieces striking the young girl to her injury, leaving her with a scar running almost the length of her face.
Barker’s solicitor Billy Rennie told Arbroath Sheriff Court on Tuesday that the incident had occurred as a result of “young men standing around having had a drink” and that Barker “did not expect people to congregate there.”
He added that social inquiry reports indicated that Barker had shown “remorse” for his actions and was troubled by the events of his childhood, having endured a difficult relationship with his father.
However, Sheriff Stein questioned this and suggested that Barker may not be fully aware of the consequences of his actions.
He added, “None of this going to help the girl. Unless she is going to wear make-up all the time (the scar) is going to be very obvious to whom ever she sees.”
Depute fiscal Alastair Learmont said the victim last month visited her GP, who had explained that although the scar was likely to “fade over time” it would never completely disappear.
Sentencing, Sheriff Stein told Barker that he had seen photographs of the girl’s injuries and Barker “deserved to go to prison.”
However, taking into account his early guilty plea, he ordered him to carry out 225 hours of community service and pay £1000 compensation to his victim at a rate of £20 per fortnight, to be taken from the benefits he receives.
Sheriff Stein added, “This may take a considerable amount of time but it has to be done. It won’t take as long as this girl is going to be scarred for.”