Clydebank Post | News | Pills and booze led to attack on boy

Monday, 13th October, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 25th June, 2008 11:00

Pills and booze led to attack on boy

By Court Reporter

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A MAN high on a cocktail of booze and painkillers viciously attacked a 14-year-old boy.

Frank Reid launched an assault on victim — who was just 14-years-old — on Christmas Day.

Officers had been called to a property at around 2.50pm after reports of a fight between two males, and when they arrived saw the teenager standing outside, Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard on Thursday.

Henna Chaudry, fiscal depute, told the court that when the cops went into the Faifley flat they noticed a broken window.

Reid then appeared, attacking the youngster again in front of the officers, before pulling him to the ground.

The 24-year-old was arrested and taken to Clydebank police office, but due to his “aggressive” state was not cautioned and charged at that time.

Reid also faced charges for spitting at a female cop a year earlier when he appeared at court.

At 2.30pm on December 31 cops were called to another Faifley property after reports of youths climbing in the windows. When the officers arrived a boozed-up Reid claimed that he was in charge despite not being the householder, but when they started making enquiries he kicked off and started to shout and swear at them.

After being warned about his behaviour, rowdy Reid was arrested and then spat towards one of the police officers, narrowly missing her face.

Phil Lafferty, defending, argued that his client has attempted to turn his life around by completing a forklift driver course which he hopes will lead to a job.

Mr Lafferty said: “There’s something of a theme between the two cases.

“In the earlier case alcohol was very much a factor and [Reid] has very little recollection of the events, and is rather appalled at the [spitting] charge.

“He’s ashamed of his actions but does not remember doing it. It was a new year party which went wrong from his point of view and thereafter had a serious car accident after which he became addicted to painkillers and was taking alcohol and valium.

“And it’s against that background that the incident with the [young boy] took place.

“He recognises that alcohol is dangerous for him and may take counselling in that regard.”

Reid pled guilty to assaulting a police officer by spitting at her and breaching the peace by shouting and swearing on December 31, 2006, at 178D Faifley Road.

He also pled guilty to assaulting the teenager by repeatedly punching him on the head and body on December 25, 2007, at a house in Faifley Road.

Sentencing, Sheriff Gerard Sinclair said that a custodial sentence would be appropriate for these offences, but he was prepared to deal with the matter in another way. Reid, of 37 Shelley Drive, Radnor Park, was ordered to carry out a total of 180 hours community service for all the offences.

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