A teenage yob has admitted assaulting a firefighter who was trying to put out a blaze in Dundee.
The 17-year-old, who can’t be named due to his age, was one of a group of youths who harassed crews as they tackled a fire on waste ground in Mid Craigie.
However, when the youths were told to move away by one of the firefighters, the yob turned and spat on him.
He admitted assaulting Craig Rodgers, crew manager at Kingsway Fire Station, at waste ground between Pitairlie Road and Pitkerro Road, obstructing or hindering him and spitting on his clothing on November 21 2016.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard the group had been pulling at the hoses and interfering with the firefighting efforts, while pretending to punch the firefighters.
Fiscal depute Laura Bruce said what started as harmless behaviour turned nasty after they were told to move away by Mr Rodgers.
Mr Rodgers declined to comment on the incident.
Gary Lennie, Fire Brigade Union north area secretary, condemned the attack.
He said: “Firefighters are there to protect and serve the public and they shouldn’t be subjected to attacks while carrying out their duties — we can’t have fire fighters being spat on.
“We will be working with Scottish Fire and Rescue and other agencies to eliminate these mindless attacks on our hard working fire fighters.”
The teenager also admitted assault and stealing a bike belonging to a 28-year-old man at Forfar Road, Kingsway and Afton Way on October 17 2016.
He admitted that he assaulted Daniel Crighton, pursued him, seized hold of him, pushed and pulled him and robbed him of his bike.
Mrs Bruce said the bike was a birthday present from Mr Crighton’s sister and he was cycling northwards on Forfar Road when the yob shouted: “That’s my bike, give me the bike.”
Mr Crighton carried on in a northerly direction, pursued by the accused on a smaller BMX bike. The teenage thug caught up with him, pushed and pulled him off the bike and stole it.
Sheriff Linda Smith placed the teenager on the Mentoring for Men course for three months and deferred sentence for a month for a report on his progress.
The case was continued until March 21 and he was granted bail.
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