A teenager has been warned to prepare himself for a spell in custody after bottling a pal in an Angus attack.
John Mitchell took offence to comments made by the 16-year-old after a fallout between friends in the centre of Kirriemuir and lured him to a quiet street near a town church before producing a broken bottle from behind his back and going for him with the weapon.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the victim suffered a cut finger, which has been left permanently scarred, but a sheriff told Mitchell it was only “good fortune” that the victim had not been more seriously hurt.
Mitchell, 17, of Hillhead Terrace, Kirriemuir, admitted an indictment alleging the assault on the 16-year-old at Kirk Wynd on September 27 last year, to the victim’s injury and permanent disfigurement.
Depute fiscal Hazel Anderson said the victim was an associate of Mitchell and had been part of a group in Kirriemuir town centre on the night of the attack.
Following an altercation between two other boys, Mitchell took exception to comments made and an argument developed between him and the complainer.
“Around 10.30pm, the accused told the complainer he wanted to speak to him at the church and a further confrontation took place,” said Mrs Anderson.
“He (Mitchell) reached behind his back and lunged at the complainer with a broken bottle.
“The complainer raised his hands to try to protect himself and was cut on the hand.”
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.
Sheriff Gregor Murray told Mitchell: “The Crown narration is to the effect that you asked the complainer to go over to the church, the confrontation took place and you produced the broken bottle.
“It is only by entire good fortune that the injuries were less serious than they might have been.
“Notwithstanding that, you should prepare yourself for the distinct possibility of a custodial sentence.”
Mitchell’s case was continued until September 18 for the preparation of social work reports and his bail was continued.