A Dundee man who punched one of two young louts who stole his car has been admonished after a sheriff said people would “understand” his actions.
Michael Grant, 35, had parked his car at a fuel pump at the Jet Garage on Forfar Road last April and nipped across the forecourt to pick-up groceries.
Unfortunately, he had left his keys in the ignition, which prompted two youngsters to steal the vehicle.
However, Grant leapt across the bonnet of his car and grabbed one 17-year-old in a “citizen’s arrest” but punched him “two to three times” as they waited for police.
The other thief got away and the car was later found trashed after a joyride, Dundee Sheriff Court heard.
The car thief caught by Grant cannot be named due to his age.
Topless youth fled
Depute fiscal Lee Corr told the court: “At around 10pm the accused attended the garage in his vehicle.
“He parked at the pay-pump and left his keys in the ignition.
“He was buying groceries.
“He attended the window of the station and as he did, the complainer and another unknown male approached the vehicle.
“One male got in the driver’s side and the other, the complainer, got in the passenger side.
“The accused ran back to the car and tried to stop them.
“He grabbed the complainer’s jacket.
“Police were contacted.
“While waiting on the police the accused repeatedly punched the complainer to the body, two to three times. There was no injury.
“The complainer broke free of the accused’s grip and ran-off, topless.
“As police attended they found the complainer running along Forfar Road without a top on.”
‘He lost his temper’
Defence solicitor Jim Caird, in mitigation for Grant, said: “Unfortunately, because the keys were in the ignition the insurance claim was not granted and the car was lost.
“In the CCTV video, the two men make a bee-line for his car.
“He jumps on the bonnet of the car.
“He grabs one of the men.
“He has seized him in a citizen’s arrest and holds on to him.
“He is shocked by what happened.
“The complainer tried to deny he had anything to do with it.
“He lost his temper. He is 35, and a family man.”
Sheriff George Way said: “I am prepared to accept he lost his car, people will understand his actions.”
Admonition means although the accused has a criminal record, no further punishment is imposed.
For the latest court cases across Tayside and Fife, join our Courts Facebook page.
