A SYRIAN refugee living in Clydebank who repeatedly struck a seven-year-old boy with a vacuum cleaner attachment has been admonished.

Khaled Ahamad Alliko-Al-Sheikh, 34, had only been in the country for 17 days when he also attacked a woman.

The offences took place on September 12 last year at a property in Drumry.

Al-Sheikh pleaded guilty in November to assaulting a seven-year-old by repeatedly striking him on the body with a plastic pole or similar object.

He also admitted assaulting a woman by repeatedly striking her on the body with a plastic pole or similar object.

Fiscal depute Scott Simpson told the court in November: “The complainer, in charge two, was in the house and having a sleep in her bedroom.

“The complainer, in charge one, the seven year-old boy, was also in the house, along with two other children.

“Charge two complainer was woken up by shouting and heard Arabic. It was translated as ‘help me’.

“The complainer went into the second bedroom and found the child was lying on the floor and the accused in the process of striking him with what the charge describes as a plastic pole, or similar object.

“She positioned herself between the accused and the child, whereupon the accused struck her with the same item.”

“The circumstances of this are not clear but they may be clearer in the social work report.

“The explanation I have heard is that the accused attempted to justify why he was striking the child with the Hoover attachment but she was not interested in hearing his reasons. She said that he should simply not be doing it.”

Mr Simpson also revealed how the case came to light from information received from sources in West Dunbartonshire Council social work department.

Mr Simpson continued: “Police became involved and a joint investigation and interview took place.”

Al-Sheikh’s defence solicitor outlined why the incident took place, saying: “He discovered the boy had sprayed a younger child with deodorant.

“The younger child was admitted to hospital (as a result of being sprayed) and that was when this came to light.”

Al-Sheikh returned to the dock last week, accompanied by an Arabic interpreter.

The accused’s defence agent told the court his client had complied with the court’s order and had reconciled with the victims since the incident.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry said: “Your cultural background and ethnic background is not of this country and while that’s absolutely no excuse, I think it’s a fact that I should pay some attention to.

“You told the court previously that if you had known your behaviour was against the law in this country you would not have done it. Now that you have that knowledge I’m going to assume that you will not act in that fashion again.”