A Perth teenager who left his friend needing nine stitches in his tongue after a brutal assault in Perth has been given a chance to avoid being locked up.
Ryan Ferguson was 18 when he carried out a “cowardly” assault in the city’s County Place.
Victim Darren Brown bit hard on his own tongue after he was struck by Ferguson on the back of the head.
His tongue began bleeding heavily, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
Ferguson then delivered a kick to Mr Brown’s head as he lay on the pavement.
In March, Ferguson, now 20, was placed on the Right Track rehab programme for young offenders after admitting the November 14 2019 assault.
He returned to the dock for sentence and the court heard he was making progress on the programme, despite a shaky start.
Sheriff William Wood told him: “This is not the best of starts to this particular order.
“But the recommendation is to continue with this programme in the meantime. I am content to do that.”
The sheriff added: “It is an opportunity for you to do the work now.
“If you do that, it is more likely to lead to a non-custodial sentence.
“You were a young man when this serious offence was committed.
“You have the benefit of youth on your side and it is hope that things can be turned around.”
Sentence was further deferred until September 6.
Football star’s terror
A violent criminal, who threatened former football star Gordon Durie at knifepoint during an attempted car-jacking, has been jailed for 40 months. The ex-Rangers and Scotland striker was chased by John Rodden, wielding a six-inch knife, in Cardenden. He warned him, “don’t be a f****** hero”, as he demanded his car keys.
Hammer threat
A Dunfermline abuser threatened to turn up at his ex-partner’s home and hit her with a hammer in the hope she would die.
Mark Henderson, of Buffies Brae, also made threats to stab the woman and run her over in his car during a course of abuse which lasted 18 months.
The 42-year-old threw a games console at the woman which struck her on her head.
The details were contained in court papers presented at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
The document said Henderson would repeatedly contact the woman through phone calls or text messages and make threats of violence.
He also threatened violence to the woman’s daughter.
In one call to the woman, he told her he would attend her house in Aberdeen and hit her with a hammer “hoping she would die.”
Henderson appeared admitted the charge of engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive of his partner or ex-partner between March 2020 and September 2021.
Sheriff William Gilchrist adjourned sentencing until July 6 for background reports and Henderson was released on bail.
Donkey porn
Dundee hospital porter Plamen Petkov, who was caught with animal porn and child abuse images has been banned from using social media without written permission. The 33-year-old claimed the images had been downloaded automatically from a Facebook page set up to share “funny photographs and videos”.
MP evidence monkeypox delay
Scottish MP Margaret Ferrier, accused of travelling from Glasgow to London in the knowledge she had Covid symptoms, had her August trial confirmed.
The Rutherglen and Hamilton West representative, 61, allegedly made several journeys having been told to self-isolate between September 26 and 29 2020.
Prosecutors state the then-SNP politician culpably and recklessly booked a test for Covid-19, stating in the booking application that she had symptoms of the disease.
The charge claims she was told to self-isolate and wilfully exposed people to the risk of infection, illness and death.
It is alleged this was done by travelling throughout Glasgow and the surrounding areas as well as journeys to and from London.
At a pre-trial hearing Ferrier – who had her appearance excused – pled not guilty to the single charge at Glasgow Sheriff Court through her lawyer Neal McShane.
Mr McShane stated a report from a virologist has been delayed by the outbreak of monkeypox.
Ferrier’s bail was continued meantime.
The full caseload of the Dundee Crime and Courts Team can be found here.
