A specially-created courtroom has been set up to host the trial of a 15-year-old boy accused of the psychological domestic abuse of a 14-year-old schoolgirl.
Scottish Court Service staff spent 30 minutes converting a jury room at Perth Sheriff Court into a makeshift courtroom for the boy’s trial.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is the youngest person to face prosecution under the new laws to tackle coercive and controlling domestic abuse.
The boy – who is too young to appear in a normal adult courtroom – was allowed to have his father by his side as Crown witnesses gave evidence against him.
The teenager is alleged to have engaged in a course of behaviour which was abusive towards the S3 pupil at a Perth secondary school between October 17 and 22 last year.
It is alleged his aim was to “control, regulate and monitor her day-to-day activities and to frighten, humiliate, degrade and punish her”. The boy, who spoke only to confirm his name, denies the behaviour, which also allegedly included punching a window and kicking a door to the “psychological harm” of his girlfriend.
A depute head teacher told the trial on Tuesday afternoon he had called police after seeing the couple clash outside school at the end of the day on October 22.
The teacher said: “There were a number of people gathered and it looked like two people were having an altercation.
“I saw him arguing with her and her arguing back and I saw him take his two hands and push her on the shoulders and she staggered back.”
The girl told the trial they had initially argued in a house on October 17 as they watched a Disney film and the boy had injured his hand punching a glass panel on the way out.
She said the confrontation at school had taken place after she sent him a Snapchat message that she had “gone to the shows” with one of his best friends.
Tables were rearranged, screens were erected and a CCTV camera system was installed after the jury from another trial was moved elsewhere in the building.
Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney also removed his wig and gown and explained to witnesses the reason for the trial taking place in a unique setting.
He told the boy’s father: “This is obviously a fairly unusual way to proceed with things as (the accused) is only 15.
“You are permitted to remain in court and you should remain quiet throughout unless called upon.”
He later said: “For particular reasons we have to have this trial in this room.
“Due to his age we have to do things slightly differently, compared to the usual settings, so we have no wigs or gowns, but otherwise follow the usual procedures.
“It is not a conventional courtroom, but the particular reason for that is the ages of the young persons involved.
“Certain legal matters require us to have this trial in this context.”
The trial was continued to a later date.