Boy, 15, locked up over offences in Kilmarnock

Jul 25 2008

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy was this week sentenced to 18 months’ detention after admitting charges of serious assault and indecent exposure.

The youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, previously pleaded guilty to attacking a shopkeeper in St Andrews Street, Kilmarnock, last September – striking him on the head and body with a brick to his severe injury.

And in March this year he indecently exposed himself to a woman in the Spar shop in the town’s MacPhail Drive. After his arrest on that occasion he was found to be in possession of a lock knife.

When he appeared for sentence at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Monday, his solicitor said that he was “very much aware” of the seriousness of the offences he had committed.

Referring to the assault, the lawyer said that, at the time, his client had thought he was going to the assistance of his friend.

“Clearly the consequences in terms of injuries were far outwith what was in his mind,” he said. “It is clear he was taken aback at the seriousness of the injuries.”

The indecent exposure was committed after “a substantial consumption of alcohol.”

The teenager had been egged on by other youths.

“His substantial immaturity allowed him to be influenced by others,” said thesolicitor.

He appealed to Sheriff Iona McDonald to place the 15-year-old on probation to allow the work being carried out with him to continue.

But Sheriff McDonald told the youngster: “It is my view that the only appropriate sentence is a custodial sentence.

“You chased this person and threw what is described as a brick at him, whereby that person fell and was injured seriously,” she said.

On the other occasion he had not only exposed himself but had been in possession of a knife.

“There are too many young people running around this jurisdiction with knives,” said the sheriff. “The danger is, if they have knives on them, they could use them.”