A schoolboy suffered life threatening injuries and was “unable to speak” after a horrific golf club attack in Perth.
The 15-year-old was left with a cracked skull following the assault in broad daylight on Dunkeld Road in 2021.
Doctors say he was left with severe speech problems and may never fully recover.
Dean Williamson appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting the youngster to his severe injury, permanent impairment and disfigurement, and to the danger of his life.
The 18-year-old brought the golf club down on his victim’s head so hard, it snapped in two, the court heard.
Buckfast bottle
Fiscal depute Gavin Letford said the assault on June 23 was captured on CCTV from army barracks across the street.
“The accused and the complainer are known to each other,” he told the court.
“At around 3pm, a group of teenagers – including the complainer – attended at a playpark in Tulloch Road.
“Once the group had all gathered, they went to hang out in North Muirton playpark, before deciding to go to one of the group’s home addresses.”
Mr Letford said the teenagers walked down Dunkeld Road at about 7.15pm.
“As they walked across the street, they observed the accused and another male.
“A witness described the complainer, who was in possession of an empty Buckfast bottle, approaching the accused and saying something.
“She couldn’t make out what was said.
“The witness then saw the accused raise a golf club, which he held in both hands, and strike it across the complainer’s head.
“This caused the club to snap in two.”
The prosecutor said the boy then threw the bottle towards Williamson.
Another witness, who was parking her car nearby, noticed “males acting suspiciously” around her, Mr Letford said.
“The next thing she was aware of was a bottle flying past her head and bouncing off the bonnet of her car, before smashing on the pavement,” he said.
“She was aware of a group of males jumping around at the back of her car.”
Passing police
The assault was also witnessed by two passing police officers.
When they activated their lights and sirens, Williamson took off on foot.
“Officers observed the complainer had suffered a head wound,” said Mr Letford.
“He was bleeding heavily and unable to speak.
“An ambulance was contacted but due to the number of calls experienced by the Scottish Ambulance Service at the time, they were unable to attend.”
The boy was taken to PRI by police.
“He was then transferred by ambulance to Ninewells as his injuries were deemed life threatening,” the fiscal depute said.
A CT Scan revealed the teenager had suffered a fractured skull.
He spent five days at the hospital’s paediatric high dependency unit.
Mr Letford said doctors were unable to say whether he would make a full recovery.
A clinical psychologist also noted that the assault had left him with “severe disruption to verbal and speech skills” which were “considerably below age expectations.”
His long-term memory could also be affected.
Williamson, of Catmoor Avenue, Scone, made no comment as he was arrested.
Custody warning
Sheriff David Hall deferred sentence for background reports.
“These are extremely serious charges,” he told Williamson.
“You have just turned 18 and have no previous convictions so I will require to obtain reports.
“If these reports are not ready when you return to court – and if that is in any way your fault – you could be remanded in custody.”
Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said his client was just 16 at the time.
He added the victim said in his police statement he hit Williamson with the bottle.
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