STIRLING WOMAN CONVICTED OF BEATING UP 12-YEAR-OLD CHILD
In Stirling, a woman was found guilty of attacking a 12-year-old girl with a fish supper amid an incident involving an alleged racial remark.Ann Margaret Johnstone, aged 56, pushed the wrapper containing the fried food into the child's face and then proceeded to punch and kick her.
The court was told she had attended a funeral earlier that day and was intoxicated.
According to prosecutor Lucy Clarke, the girl was out with friends when her mother arrived to pick her up in a car around 8 pm.
The mother parked outside a local fish and chip shop on Morrison Drive, Whins of Milton, while the children waited outside.
The girl briefly entered the shop to speak with her mother before returning to the vehicle, just about to get in.
While her friend was climbing into the back seat, Johnstone approached her rapidly.
The girl tried to block her friend’s access by shutting the car door.
At that moment, Johnstone directed an insult at the girl, calling her a ‘wee specky b*****d’, then struck her twice across the face with a fish and chips wrapper.
The girl was knocked back into the front passenger footwell.
Johnstone seized her by the hair and kept hitting her on the head, delivering two punches on the left side with her fist and pinning her legs while kicking at her.
The assault involved pushing the food wrapper into the girl’s face, blocking her view.
Witnesses heard the girl shouting for help, which prompted her mother to intervene.
The girl showed signs of injury, including lumps and bruises.
Defense lawyer Virgil Crawford explained that Johnstone, who comes from a Travelling background and has a distinctive brogue, had been drinking heavily earlier at a funeral in Aberdeen and had been racially abused by local youths.
He stated that Johnstone admitted to losing her temper and felt ashamed of her conduct.
She pleaded guilty to assaulting the girl on March 8, involving hitting her repeatedly, pulling her hair, and smearing food on her face.
The case has been adjourned to allow for comprehensive reports before sentencing.
