A court has heard how a 44-year-old man was left with “slurred speech” and “memory problems” after being struck on the head by a piece of concrete thrown by a Brechin teenager.
The victim underwent a CT scan following the incident, depute fiscal Nicola Gillespie told Forfar Sheriff Court.
David Ramsay (16), of Nursery Park, was placed on probation for 18 months, ordered to perform 130 hours’ community service and pay £200 compensation by Sheriff Kevin Veal.
He admitted that on November 11 at Slater Way, Brechin, he culpably and recklessly threw a piece of concrete in the man’s direction, striking him on the head and body to his injury.
Ms Gillespie said the incident occurred on a Sunday evening when the man was returning from the shops.
He walked past two people who were friends of Ramsay and they shouted at him and he made a comment.
Ramsay spoke to his friends and was heard to say, “I’ll teach him who’s boss.”
All three walked towards the man’s address. He told them to get lost, she said.
One of them lifted up a piece of concrete and dropped it again. Ramsay picked it up and threw it at the man. It struck him and Ramsay and the two others ran off.
“He soon felt dizzy and was bleeding from his head,” said Ms Gillespie. “There was swelling on his left ear and swelling on his left shoulder.
“He suffered a two-and-a-half centimetre laceration to the back of his left ear.”
Following the incident, Ms Gillespie said the man said he was anxious at being alone and was not sleeping well.
She said he said he suffered memory problems and slurred speech and was referred for a CT scan. The scan showed no signs of a fracture.
“The thought of someone throwing concrete at anyone else’s head that is unacceptable,” said Sheriff Veal.
Solicitor Nick Markowski said, “It was a reckless act borne of immaturity.”
A social work report had recommended a high-tariff structured deferred sentence.
“I don’t think this would mark the gravity of this offence,” said Sheriff Veal, instead placing Ramsay on probation and ordering him to perform the community service and pay the compensation.