Scottish Driver Guilty of Dangerous Attacking Teenagers After Halloween Egg-Throwing

Graeme Duncan, aged 59, has been found guilty of dangerous driving after he targeted two teenagers in Auchterarder on 31 October 2019. The incident occurred after Duncan suspected the teenagers had been involved in egg-throwing attacks on his house. Duncan was driving his grey Nissan and was reported to have headed at speed towards the two 16-year-old boys, as well as driving carelessly through Hunter Street and High Street, mounting a pavement and driving towards a 15-year-old boy on the same evening. The jury also heard that Duncan 'chased' the two 16-year-olds while driving around the town, questioning them about the eggs and mounting pavements. Furthermore, he was convicted of dangerous driving for heading his car at the two youths, with other charges such as having a baseball bat not proven. Duncan was sentenced to a mandatory minimum 12-month driving ban. During the trial, Duncan stated he had repeatedly contacted the police about attacks on his home since 2017 but no charges were filed. Sheriff Linda Smith showed leniency, admonishing Duncan after hearing how his home had been targeted repeatedly for years and criticizing the police for failing to stop the abuse. The solicitor representing Duncan argued that the conviction would have a 'catastrophic' impact on him, as he feared losing his employment. Duncan also claimed that his living room window was regularly smeared with pizza and denied anger over eggs hitting his kitchen window, stating he went out seeking the teenagers responsible. Duncan expressed concern about the egg-throwing attacks and told one teenager he would 'batter them' if he saw the eggers. Despite the conviction, Sheriff Smith acknowledged his prior suffering from youth-related abuse and noted her understanding of his situation.