A Perth mother-of-six has called for a teenage ”thug” who endangered the life of her and her two young sons to feel the full force of the law.
Sentence has been deferred on Paul Booth after he admitted hurling a large brick from a dual-carriageway flyover shortly before Christmas last year.
The High Court in Glasgow heard on Tuesday that the 19-year-old was walking along a bridge over the A9 Western Bypass, near Perth’s Old Gallows Road, on December 21 when he picked up the stone and threw it.
Reliving the terrifying moment the rock shattered her windscreen during evening rush-hour, Lynn Bruce admitted she still suffers nightmares.
The 36-year-old from Craigie managed to maintain control of her Toyota Landcruiser but said glass was sprayed over her infant son, Kyle.
Had she been driving a smaller vehicle, she believes she, Kyle and his two-year-old brother Aiden might all have been killed.
Advocate depute Andrew Brown QC, prosecuting, said: ”The accused lifted a rock and threw it over the flyover. The Toyota Landcruiser was travelling at about 60mph but the driver managed to continue in a straight line. In the car with her was a 13-week-old baby. Luckily he had a covering over him which protected him from the breaking glass.”
Police traced Booth, previously of Menzies Court, Perth, and in an interview he admitted throwing the rock and added: ”I regret my actions. I’m sorry for what I’ve done.”
In court, the teenager, who suffers from Asperger’s, Tourette’s syndrome, attention deficit disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, also admitted culpably and recklessly setting fire to a bag containing clothing and aerosol canisters on August 13 last year at Ballantine Place, Perth.
The canisters exploded and 17-year-old Melissa Sangster, who was pregnant, suffered burns to her head and body to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
Mr Brown said: ”She suffered 25% burns. She will have scarring on her legs but not her face and arms.”
Defence counsel Ronnie Renucci said: ”Mr Booth appears before the courts as a first offender.”
He asked Judge Lord Bannatyne to call for a psychological report and this was agreed, along with other background reports. Sentence was deferred until May and Booth was remanded in custody.
Ms Bruce had been returning from delivering gifts in Luncarty with her two youngest children when the ordeal occurred.
She said: ”It was a real Christmas miracle that we survived I saw our lives flash before my eyes. Suddenly, as I was passing under the flyover, a massive white lump came down out of nowhere. It was absolutely petrifying.
”It hit the bonnet with a massive bang and bounced up at the windscreen right where Kyle’s car seat was.
”Glass went everywhere but luckily I had put the hood of the seat up so his face was protected. He could have been scarred for life.
”Had I not been such an experienced driver or been in a wee car I doubt we’d be here. And had it hit the windscreen directly it could have crushed us.
”It still haunts me to this day and I’m scared every time I drive under a flyover, but I have to try and stay strong for my kids.”
She continued: ”Anyone who would do such a thing is a mindless thug. I am glad to hear that the culprit has been remanded in custody and I hope he gets the book thrown at him and is sent to jail. My older kids could have been facing a life sentence without their mum.
”I accept that he may have behavioural problems but that doesn’t mean he should get away with it. He should get the help he needs and should be locked up if he continues to pose a threat.”