BUCKFAST-FUELLED MAN GUILTY OF ASSAULTING 15-YEAR-OLD CADET NEAR ARBROATH CLIFFS
A Buckfast-fuelled lout ended up wrestling with a 15-year-old Army cadet taking part in a camp group activity near Arbroath cliffs.Andrew Paterson, 32, from Glasgow, previously pled guilty to assaulting the boy at Kings Drive in Arbroath on July 29, striking the child, forcing him to the ground and restraining him, all while on bail.
Prosecutor Andrew Harding told Forfar Sheriff Court: “The complainer was 15 at the time, as was his friend.
They were both cadets at a camp, carrying out various activities.
“They were at the Arbroath cliffs.
At 3.30pm, the accused was walking towards the cliffs.
He engaged with the complainer and the other cadet.
“He asked if they wanted to jump off the cliffs as he had done previously.
They thought this was strange and declined.” Paterson repeatedly left and returned.
Mr Harding said: “On the third occasion, he walked up to the complainer and grabbed his throat.
“The complainer shouted at the accused to get off.
They both fell to the ground.
The accused got the complainer in a headlock.
“The other cadet stepped in and grabbed the accused.” Paterson was ushered away by an instructor and police were alerted.
His solicitor Keith Sym said: “He felt he was under attack, grabbed this boy and put him to the ground.
“He was surprised… that this child was not yet 16.
He is still in a relationship with a lady who lives in Arbroath, that’s why he was in Arbroath.
“It appears that there are issues with his mental health.
He has had issues with alcohol and substances, though he tells me he’s not using any substances at present.” Sheriff Paul Ralph ordered Paterson to complete 135 hours of unpaid work and said: “Your behaviour was appalling.
“It was two children carrying out an activity.
You come up and end up wrestling one of them.
“Quite frankly, it’s just appalling that you think because you were drunk you didn’t do anything wrong.”
