An Auchterarder man has admitted assaulting three 12-year-old boys who he thought were harassing his elderly mother.
Gerald Laing, 43, of Glenburn Road, pled guilty to the attacks on November 12 at Queens Terrace and Crown Wynd in the town.
At Perth Sheriff Court, he admitted grabbing two boys by their clothing and ushering them up against a metal railing, and grabbing the third by his arm.
Sheriff Christopher Shead heard that Laing accused the boys of battering his mother’s fence as they made their way home from playing football. When the boys ran away, Laing gave chase in a car and proceeded to carry out the assaults.
Solicitor Cheryl McKnight said there was a history involving Laing’s mother and boys of the complainer’s age in the area, although Laing was not sure if it was his victims that were causing the trouble. Sentence was deferred until next month for reports.
