Teenager remanded after stranger assault

Kicked woman 'for no good reason'
A TEENAGER who assaulted a stranger “for no good reason” was remanded in custody by a sheriff yesterday (Wednesday) pending background reports.
Angelo Begg, of Beach Court, Thurso, admitted the offence and a serious of previous convictions.
Wick Sheriff Court was told that the accused and his victim, a 21-year-old woman, met by chance as they were making their way home in Thurso in the early hours of December 12. They both had been drinking and struck up a conversation which deteriorated and, said senior fiscal depute, David Barclay, ended with charity shop worker, Begg, losing his temper and suddenly lashing out and striking the woman on the head.
Mr Barclay continued: “She fell to the ground and the accused kicked her once, causing her to scream”.
Mr Barclay added that the accused realised what he had done, became frightened and ran away. However, householders, who witnessed the incident, identified Begg, 19, and reported the matter to the police. The victim was treated in hospital for bruising and a swelling above her left eye and there was a reddening on her right shoulder blade.
Solicitor Ian Innes, said that Begg had had a fall-out with a member of his family on the day in question and this had been “praying on his mind” at the time of the incident.
Rejecting an application for bail, Sheriff Andrew Berry commented on Begg’s record of convictions of assault and breaches of bail conditions and told him: “This is a serious matter where you assaulted a complete stranger for no good reason whatsoever”.
Begg was ordered to be detained and will reappear for sentence on February 18 when the sheriff will see background reports.

Remarks sparked breach of the peace
John McGill took exception to remarks made to him by a 13-year-old girl he met outside his house in Thurso, and began shouting and swearing at her.
When McGill, 21, reported the matter to his mother, Margaret McGill, 53, she visited the teenager at her home in the town and behaved in a similar manner toward her.
It led mother and son to Wick Sheriff Court, yesterday (Wednesday) when they admitted a breach of the peace outside their home in Holborn Avenue, Thurso, on September 1, last year.
Sentence was deferred until August 5, to give both accused an opportunity to demonstrate they could behave themselves.