A teenager who committed dangerous traffic offences, a brutal assault, a break-in and who perverted the course of justice all in the same day has been spared a custodial sentence.
Callum McMurtrie, from Carmyllie, near Arbroath, appeared for sentencing at the town’s sheriff court on Tuesday, having admitted the offences. But Sheriff Peter Paterson’s decision to hand the 18-year-old a 300-hour community payback order was slammed by staff at the Shell Filling Station on Cairnie Road in Arbroath, which was targeted by McMurtrie on March 21.
The duty supervisor said: ”It is ridiculous that that’s all he has got. He didn’t get away with much but that’s not the point.”
McMurtrie previously admitted that at Dalhousie Road and Campfield Square, Broughty Ferry, he drove a car after his licence had been revoked; drove dangerously on Campfield Square by driving in darkness without lights and driving the wrong way on a one-way system; and assaulted a man at Campfield Square, while acting with another, pushing him to the ground and kicking him on the head to his injury.
He also admitted breaking into the Arbroath garage on the same date, stealing £76, 10 lighters and 45 packets of cigarettes.
He further admitted giving a false name to police on the A92 Arbroath to Dundee road and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The court heard McMurtrie had been driving a distinctive Volkswagen Lupo with lowered suspension.
Depute fiscal Hazel Anderson said a driver had spotted McMurtrie driving the wrong way up Campfield Square and had flashed their lights to warn him.
She added: ”The complainer wound the window down and advised the accused he nearly collided with him. At this point the accused leaned forward and started shouting at him.
”As the complainer drove away he heard a loud bang. He was then attacked by the accused who pushed him to the ground and kicked his head and body while on the ground. The incident was later reported to the police.”
McMurtrie made his way to the Arbroath filling station at around 10pm that night, at which time neighbours reported a noise coming from inside the building. The break-in was captured on CCTV.
McMurtrie drove off but was later stopped by police in connection with the earlier incident. He was searched and was found to have items stolen from the garage. These were fully recovered by officers.
In a separate incident, McMurtrie admitted that between March 7 and 10 he stole a motorcycle, heater, fuel container and petrol from the Old Church building at Wester Greystone, Carmyllie, and subsequently failed to appear at court on March 25.
Defence agent Billy Rennie said McMurtrie was a mechanic but had fallen into heavy cannabis use and was on prescription anti-depressants.
He added: ”It seems from speaking to him and his father that he moved in with his friend and didn’t have any benefits.”
Sheriff Peter Paterson told McMurtrie the assault had been ”unprovoked” and could have merited a custodial sentence.
He said: ”The only thing that saves you is the fact you have taken some steps to help yourself. It is principally your family that has stepped in and offered you a lifeline.”