Curfew option avoids custody 22/7/10
A Lewis youth was told he must accept a six month curfew for an assault otherwise he would be sent to custody.
Jamie Maclean, of Arnisdale, Brue, previously pleaded guilty at Stornoway Sheriff Court to assaulting another island youth with a kick to his head and punching him.
The offence occurred in the early hours of Saturday 3rd April on North Beach Street, Stornoway.
The court heard there was a verbal disagreement between the parties present. CCTV footage showed the apprentice giving the victim one kick to the head as he lay on the ground and repeated punches to his body.
Maclean's lawyer said he was in bad company in town and drank too much, too quickly.
He pointed out Maclean's victim retaliated by giving him a punch when he got off the ground.
He indicated Maclean was initially reluctant over accepting a curfew as "he thought he would be restricted during the week."
"That tends to happen in prison as well," responded Sheriff David Sutherland.
His lawyer accepted: "Anyone who kicks another in the head is looking at a custodial sentence."
Maclean was placed on two years probation including 150 hours of unpaid work. He must obey a curfew until January and stay indoors from 9pm until 6am from Tuesdays through Saturdays.