Attacks in Clydebank and Dumbarton by violent boy, 16

The 16-year-old boy pleaded guilty to two violent attacks in Clydebank and Dumbarton.

But he cannot be identified because he is under 18.

He and others violently attacked a man in Whitecrook, boasting they were part of a local gang.

His guilty plea was originally in open court and he was sent down to the cells, only for him to be released in a closed court session, again because of his age.

The sheriff railed against the "hoard" doing "what they like". They needed to get the message there were consequences, he said.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard how around 11.15pm on December 28, 2024, two men were out for drinks and then went to the Hot & Spicy in Clydebank.

As they walked along the canal towards their home, near Whitecrook Street, they spotted a large gang of youths between 15 and 20 people. They were aged between 12 and 16.

The pair walked past and then heard the youngsters challenging them, accusing them of talking about the gang.

They tried to ignore them but one was soon on the ground with several youths kicking and punching the man to his torso and head.

They were shouting "Whitecrook Boys" and "Whitecrook Young Team" - and filming their attack.

The other man tried to intervene, and then the gang stopped. They allowed their victim to stand and forced him to shake hands.

Police were called from the town's Asda.

The victim was taken to hospital and treated with stitches and pain medication.

One of his attackers was arrested at Centre 81 on January 28, 2025.

Months later, on September 6, there was a second incident in Dumbarton.

A 15-year-old boy and others had arranged to meet at the waterfront, between Dumbarton Castle and Unit 23 skatepark for a fight between him and another boy.

Around six or seven other males turned up, all in black - one of them was the accused.

The victim started to fight with another boy, but then the others joined in.

He fell to the ground and the accused pulled out a knife from his waistband. The blade was described as a "Rambo-style" knife with a 6-7-inch blade.

He then got really close to the victim and lunged, stabbing him. He then put it back in a black sheath and into his waistband.

Police and ambulance attended. The 15-year-old was taken to the children's hospital and was treated with three internal stitches and at least five external ones.

Officers arrested the attacker at his home. He is listed in court papers at an address in West Dunbartonshire.

At the hearing on July 28, the boy pleaded guilty to assault to severe injury of one of the two men on December 28. It was accepted he was not guilty of the other.

He also admitted having a knife at the rear of Unit 23, and to striking the 15-year-old on the body with the blade to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Prosecutors accepted he was not guilty of assaulting a 14-year-old in the incident.

Defence advocate Sean Templeton KC tried to plead his client's case, but the sheriff was shaking his head.

He said: "He had just turned 15 years old [as of the first charge]. He has made a remarkable turnaround in his life.

"He is now employed as an apprentice builder. He has managed to move away from the groups of youths he was involved with."

Sheriff McElroy said it was an "exceptionally serious charge".

Mr Templeton replied: "It does appear he accepted what he did."

The sheriff started: "Had he hit an artery ..."

And the advocate replied: "He knows."

The sheriff continued: "He is hanging around, as these individuals do, dressed in black. Hoards of them.

"And this one pulls out a Rambo knife and sticks it in someone. This person could have died. And they think it's acceptable to behave like this."

As the defence tried to speak, Sheriff McElroy said: "You're trying to excuse the fact? If he is not the one being stabbed, he is the one stabbing?

"There is a plague out in the country - doing whatever they want, whenever they want.

"When I say there is a plague, I mean there is a plague. He may take steps to change, but as I see it, at the moment, he is going into custody.

"This is a case that's exceptionally serious.

"But for sheer luck, that person didn't have a more serious outcome. I will not tolerate that kind of behaviour and the sooner that message gets out there, the better.

"As soon as the message is there that there are consequences for your actions, maybe things will be better for people in the community.

"Take him down."

But the case was soon recalled, and the boy was given bail. Reports will be prepared for all possible outcomes ahead of sentencing on August 20.