Town centre becoming a “no-go” area, says sheriff

 

A pregnant teenager, who was in a mob of youngsters who assaulted a woman at Dunfermline bus station, has been ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

On sentencing the 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, a sheriff said some parts of Dunfermline town centre were becoming “no go areas”.

The sickening attack on the woman, captured on CCTV, is only one of many incidents of youth disorder before the court recently.

Sheriff Charles MacNair said, “Unfortunately, the bus station and car park at Tesco are becoming no-go areas for the people of Dunfermline going about their lawful activity.”

The girl previously admitted that on 9th September last year at Dunfermline bus station, whilst acting with others, she assaulted the woman by repeatedly spitting on her head and body, repeatedly kicking her on the body, causing her to fall to the ground.

The victim, who is in her forties and has learning difficulties, was repeatedly surrounded by a group of over 20 teenage males and females.

Her ordeal went on for around 25 minutes during which time the woman was kicked, knocked to the ground, repeatedly spat on and had her hair burned with a lighter.

The shocking incident was captured throughout on CCTV and was shown in full at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

The bus station was still open at the time, around 11pm, with buses arriving and leaving. Others passengers waiting for their buses looked on but nobody went to the woman’s assistance before the police eventually arrived.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf previously said in court, “It’s a particularly nasty and distasteful offence on a woman in her 40s and who has learning difficulties.

“She was extremely upset when police arrived. The woman is vulnerable and has mental health issues. When police arrived her hair was covered by spit.”

Defence solicitor David Bell said his client had become “enraged” when a racist comment was made by the victim.

The sheriff interrupted him and pointed out there had been no suggestion of provocation when the guilty plea was submitted.

Sheriff MacNair told the girl, “This was a deplorable assault over a considerable period of time. This behaviour will not be tolerated.”

He imposed a community payback order with 12 month’s supervision and 300 hours of unpaid work.

Two male youths were sentenced last week for their part in the incident.

One was given a custodial sentence and the other a community payback order with unpaid work.

Both thugs have been made subject to a five-year anti-social behaviour order which bans them from being part of a group of more than three people in Dunfermline town centre.

You may also like...

1 Response

  1. Rachelle Birch says:

    Silly wee lassie . You should be named and shamed !!…and your pregnant!! DISGUSTING!!!!

Leave a Reply to Rachelle Birch Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.