A man who shouted “don’t you know who I am? I’m Jordan Mitchell” viciously assaulted a 14-year-old boy outside his home in Perth.
He slammed his elbow and then forehead into the shocked youngster’s face after a public shouting match.
Far from a star name, however, Perth Sheriff Court was told that Mitchell was simply an unemployed waster with no interest in anything other than gambling and playing computer games.
A truant from school and unemployed since leaving “full-time” education, the 20-year-old was described as “without prospects” and lacking in motivation.
Reading from a report compiled by social workers, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis noted that Mitchell had refused all efforts to help him into work.
Social workers reported that he had failed to turn up for training designed to help him find a job and that he lacked the motivation, confidence or interest to secure employment, despite receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance.
They noted that his only interests appeared to be betting on horse racing and playing on his Xbox.
“If this is the full extent of your goals, then this is a complete waste of a young life,” the sheriff said.
“It may be that, because of what you have experienced in your early life, you have not had great opportunities. There comes a point, however, where you can only blame others for so long and the ball is at your own feet.”
Depute fiscal Lisa Maxwell told the court that Mitchell had been shouting down from his flat at his young victim.
The youngster had apparently been mocking Mitchell’s appearance, as some of his teeth had been knocked out during an altercation earlier in the day.
Mitchell then went out into the street and attacked the boy. The teenager’s cheek was swollen and his mother later called the police.
Solicitor David Holmes said his client had drunk alcohol to excess on that day, during which he had been involved in an earlier incident with the young man.
Sheriff Foulis replied: “That does not justify a 19-year-old attacking a 14-year-old boy in this manner.”
He nonetheless offered Mitchell “one last chance” to change his ways and avoid imprisonment as he deferred sentence until June 18.
“You need to knuckle down; to wake up and smell the coffee,” he said.
“If you do not take this opportunity, then there is little doubt that I will take your liberty.”
Mitchell, of Lark Avenue, Perth, admitted the assault on Dunkeld Road on January 18.