Jail warning for Maybole attack trio

Mar 6 2009

A TRIO of teenage thugs attacked a man in the street after he made unsavoury remarks about one of their mothers.

Steven Pollock, 18, Stuart McEwan, 17, and Robert McGougan, 16, all from Maybole, battered John McKay in Maybole High Street on May 12 last year.

The boys all appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court this week and admitted their parts in the attack.

Depute fiscal Stephanie Blair told Sheriff Jack McGowan the three boys had been at a house in Maybole when there was an altercation.

Mr McKay left and was pursued by Pollock, McEwan and McGougan.

Once on the High Street, outside a takeaway, Pollock ran at Mr McKay and punched him in the face.

He fell to the ground and McEwan and McGougan ran across and all three of them began kicking him as he lay on the ground.

Witnesses saw what was happening and told the boys to stop, which they did.

Mr McKay sustained a black eye and bruised head.

When Pollock was interviewed by police he told them: “I’m sorry, we’re pals now.”

His defence lawyer, Peter Lockhart, told the court that McKay had apparently made disparaging remarks in the house about Pollock’s mother, which he took umbrage to.

Mr Lockhart added: “He regrets his behaviour and he phoned Mr McKay and apologised. They have in fact made up.”

Appearing for McEwan, Ian Gillies said: “He accepts he got himself involved when he should have known better.”

Sentencing the boys, Sheriff McGowan told Pollock: “You were the main man, you claim you were offended but you started this assault. Then it was three against one with the helpless victim lying on the ground.”

They were all sentenced to 12 months’ probation but were warned that they face jail if they break the law again.