A CLYDEBANK teenager launched a vicious and sustained attack on a 14-year-old girl.

The incident took place following an argument over a boy at a party in Dalmuir.

The 16-year-old, who can’t be named because of her age, battered her victim on August 3 last year.

She grabbed the younger girl by the hair, dragged her to the ground, and repeatedly punched her on the head and body during the attack in a common close at Dalmuir Court.

The girl’s assault lasted for several minutes, and continued even after help arrived, Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard on Friday.

Defence solicitor Steven Wight said the girls had previously been friends, but had exchanged words over a previous boyfriend before his client launched her physical attack.

However, Mr Wight said the incident might actually benefit his client in the longer term.

“Sometimes young people don’t learn their lessons,” he told the court, “but she was brought before the court very quickly and has responded very impressively in terms of her attitude and changes to her lifestyle.

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“She has had a terrible fright. She recognises her conduct was appalling, but she seems to have turned it into a positive thing.”

Sheriff John Hamilton imposed a community payback order with 12 months of social work supervision, and told the teen to do 100 hours of unpaid work within six months as a punishment.