A TEENAGER who kicked someone's head "like a football" refused to watch the video of his attack until just before he was sentenced.

The youth - who cannot be identified because he is under 18 - was 15 at the time of the violent assault at Drumry rail station, heard Dumbarton Sheriff Court on February 14.

He later pleaded guilty to repeatedly striking the person on the head with a bottle, rendering him unconscious, repeatedly stamping on his head and kicking him on the head and body, all to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement on August 15, 2022.

The boy appeared for sentencing in a closed court with only his family present.

His defence solicitor pointed to his client's young age, but Sheriff Maxwell Hendry interjected and said he was 15 and 11 months.

The lawyer said: "Alcohol was a problem for him. I'm advised he has taken on board the dangers of consuming alcohol."

Again the sheriff pushed back and said the first clip of the teenager on camera is running through the aisle of a train clasping a bottle of Buckfast.

The solicitor admitted: "He has not completely given up alcohol but there has been a significant decrease."

Sheriff Hendry replied: "He is still underage for consuming alcohol or buying alcohol, so people are giving him alcohol."

Again the boy's defence argued his client had made "changes to who he associates with".

"He has seen progress," he continued. "He has taken appropriate steps to try to move on. He does reflect and is ashamed of his actions. He has matured."

But he accepted it was a "vicious attack".

"He realises how dangerous that was and how abhorrent it was and how stupid it was," he said.

The sheriff questioned: "I'm surprised he has declined to watch the video [of the incident]. Should he not?

"He was using the victim's head as a football, repeatedly. How does he apologise when he doesn't know what he did?"

The teen's lawyer insisted his client was "fully aware" of what it shows.

Yet again, Sheriff Hendry said: "When I see a video when someone's head is being used as a football, the impact is considerably greater. Does he want to take the opportunity before sentencing to view the video?"

The boy in the dock was asked and confirmed he would.

The case recalled later after he viewed the film of his attack and the sheriff imposed a community payback order as a direct alternative to custody.

He will be under supervision of social workers for two years. He must do 300 hours of unpaid work in the community within 12 months.

The boy must also pay £1500 to the victim. And he will be under a four-month curfew from 8pm to 7am during the week and 7pm to 7am at weekends.