Teenage (17) attacker left victim for dead in Highland street
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A 17-year-old boy kicked another youth until he was unconscious and left him to walk back to a friend's house.
The teenager's victim suffered a traumatic brain injury from being repeatedly punched and kicked on the ground in an Inverness street on November 20, 2021.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that the casualty spent 22 days in hospital – most of it in intensive care – as doctors battled to save his life.
He has been left with scars, a drooping eye and had not yet fully recovered, fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told the court.
The 17-year-old – who cannot be named for legal reasons – appeared before Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald and admitted assaulting his victim to the danger of life, severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
The court was told the attack occurred because the teenager held the boy responsible for an assault on his sister who wouldn't go back to school.
After the initial flurry of punches and kicks, the teenager dragged the other youth along the pavement, inflicted more kicks and then left him.
Police and an ambulance were called by witnesses and an emergency doctor tended to the non-responsive boy.
Ms Eastwood said he was taken to hospital where a multitude of tests and treatments were carried out. He was discharged on December 13 but has had regular follow-up examinations since.
The latest was last month.
Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald deferred sentence until June 2 for a background report and restriction of liberty order assessment.
But she warned the accused of custody: "This is a very serious offence. I am considering all sentencing options."
His bail was continued.
