An Angus man “took the law into his own hands” due to frustration with a gang of stone-throwing youths.
Martin Rennie, 42, butted a 14-year-old boy after his frustrations with a group of Monifieth teenagers rose beyond his control.
He appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court along with fellow Monifieth resident Bradley Anderson, 22, charged with assaulting the boy after his co-accused took him off the street “by the scruff of the neck”.
Both men admitted separate charges of assault on April 28 this year.
Depute fiscal Jim Eodonable said the complainer and his friend, also 14, were seen near Rennie’s Beechgrove home playing football on that date.
A group of boys were seen throwing stones at Rennie’s house some time later, and Anderson had later seen the complainer coming down the street on his own.
“Mr Anderson took hold of him and explained he would take him to the home of Mr Rennie,” he added.
“The Crown wouldn’t suggest there was any violence there he more took him by the scruff of the neck.”
The boy was shown to the sitting room on entering the house and the door was locked behind him. Rennie made his displeasure known.
Mr Eodonable added: “At this point Mr Rennie butted (the boy) in the face fortunately for all, that only causes some redness.”
The 42-year-old’s defence agent said: “He was aware stones had been thrown in the vicinity of the property and he was annoyed by this. He believed he had got one of the group involved. He accepts his action was completely unacceptable.”
For Anderson, of Wellbank Place, his defence agent said: “I don’t think he will grace this court again.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray said to Rennie: “Your actions were wholly wrong. Despite your very limited record, anyone who takes the law into their own hands can expect some form of penalty.”
Sentence was deferred to September 4 for the preparation of criminal justice social work reports.
To Anderson, the sheriff said: “I accept what you did to (the complainer) was an assault. That said, what you did was understandable and was only an assault technically.”
Anderson’s sentence was deferred for six months for him to be of good behaviour.