16-year-old boy had sword in Helensburgh street

The 16-year-old Burgh resident, who can’t be named because of his age, was given a sharp dressing-down when he appeared in court for sentencing.

He had previously admitted being in possession of the sword in Kirkmichael Road on April 3, shouting, swearing and threatening violence towards a witness in the same street, and hurling racist abuse at another witness after being taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment later on the same day.

All three offences were committed just two days after the teenager – who only turned 16 earlier this year – was released on bail from Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Gemma McKechnie, prosecuting, told a hearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court: “Two witnesses were at home with their children at around 12.40am when they heard shouting outside, including a shout to a specific person saying ‘come out, you’re getting stabbed’.

“At 2.30am the witnesses again heard shouting and looked out to see the accused on the pavement shouting ‘you’re getting stabbed’, ‘your legs are getting ripped off’, ‘you’re getting chased out the scheme’ and ‘my whole family will get you out of this place’.

“This caused great distress to the witnesses, one of whom left and pursued the accused. It was noted the accused was wearing orange trousers; this description was passed to police, who attended and met a male matching the description.

“Police had also received a report of a male in the street with a machete, and at the scene they observed a sword on the grass between the pavement and the road.

“An unidentified female reported the accused as having been in possession of the sword found by police.”

Ms McKechnie went on to say that later that morning, at 4.15am, the accused was at Clydebank police office being processed when he began to vomit.

An ambulance was called and he was taken to the QEUH for treatment.

“He became verbally abusive, wishing all parties would die slowly. When he was reminded he was still under caution he told one witness ‘I can say what I want, you P**i b*****d.”

The teenager’s solicitor told the court his client was single, unemployed and lived with his family.

The lawyer added: “He recognises the seriousness of these matters and that this type of behaviour cannot be tolerated.

“He has had a number of weeks in custody to think about his conduct. It has been his first experience of custody and I’m told by him that it has had the desired effect.”

Sheriff John Hamilton told the teenager: “You’re only 16. Your conduct was just appalling. I note from the social work report that you have little or no recollection of what happened because you were drinking Buckfast and taking Valium.

“This kind of behaviour would almost automatically get you a custodial sentence; you must understand that if it wasn’t for your age and lack of convictions you would be going to jail.”

The teen was placed under social workers’ supervision until October 2020, and was told to carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work within six months as a punishment.