Alness teenager with ‘anger problem’ beat man to death
A teenager punched and kicked a man to death in a frenzied attack because he thought a woman was being sexually assaulted.
The youth was 15 at the time of the June 17, 2023 assault in a garden in Alness's Milnafua housing estate, but was aged 17 when he appeared before Lord Arthurson in the High Court in Inverness to admit the culpable homicide of Scott Mitchell (48), a BT engineer, also from Alness.
The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been staying with a relative until the case called but was today remanded to secure accommodation until sentencing at 9.30am at the High Court in Edinburgh on July 1.
Lord Arthurson warned him that a lengthy custodial sentence was "inevitable" for what he described as a "serious and grave crime."
The court's public gallery was crowded with onlookers, members of Mr Mitchell's family and friends and relatives of the accused to hear that the victim was lying on a patio being repeatedly punched and kicked on the head.
A post mortem decided that Mr Mitchell died from blunt force facial injuries which may also have impeded his breathing.
Advocate depute Graeme Jessop KC told the court that Mr Mitchell and the woman had met in the Station Bar, Alness and had been drinking extensively. Blood analysis of Mr Mitchell determined that he was five times the legal drink-drive limit at the time of his death.
Mr Jessop said that the woman was told by bar staff that she would not be served any more alcohol and she returned to her home with Mr Mitchell.
Mr Jessop went on: "They didn't know each other before but there was some flirtatious interaction in the bar. They got a taxi home and went into the garden and sat on a swing chair. Mr Mitchell kissed her and initiated sexual contact with her."
Mr Jessop said that the youth, after drinking alcohol at a friend's house, was walking home when he saw them just after midnight. He believed the woman was being sexually assaulted and repeatedly punched Mr Mitchell on the face, the prosecutor stated.
He continued: "A neighbour heard his (the accused) screams of anger and shouted at him to leave Mr Mitchell alone. He stopped briefly and then replied: 'He is a pervert' and then continued to punch and kick Mr Mitchell."
Mr Jessop added that Mr Mitchell, who was separated from his wife at the time, was unable to get off the ground as the blows rained down on his head for several minutes until a witness pulled the teenager away from him.
Police were called at 12.30am and officers gave Mr Mitchell CPR until paramedics arrived around 10 minutes later.
Mr Jessop said that despite their extensive efforts, Mr Mitchell could not be revived.
The boy knew police were looking for him and met police officers at a nearby park just before 1am. He was crying and still had bloodied hands and clothing.
Mr Jessop continued: "He said later 'I have an anger problem which I can control normally but seeing what I did last night, there was no chance I could control myself."
He went on: "Mr Mitchell's mother passed away on the first anniversary of his death but there are victim impact statements from his brother and sister."
Defence counsel Donald Findlay KC decided to reserve a full plea of mitigation until sentencing but told the judge: "My client had a reasonable belief that the woman was being sexually assaulted. He was rallying to the defence of the woman as he perceived it.
"This has had a huge impact on a great number of people, not least the young man I represent."
