A PAIR of teenage thugs from Troon and Auchinleck have been spared jail after a revenge attack on another teen in the centre of Ayr.
Adam Stell and Connor Duffy repeatedly punched and kicked their victim on the head and body in the savage assault – which began in a town centre shop and continued after the terrified victim fled to a nearby takeaway.
Ayr Sheriff Court heard the two thugs set upon their victim after he’d directed insults towards them earlier in the day.
But both Stell, of Wallacefield Road in Troon, and Duffy, of Stoner Crescent, Auchinleck, were spared jail time – even though the court heard it wasn’t Duffy’s first offence.
The incident happened at the Spar store and the nearby Marmaris kebab shop in Boswell Park on April 1, 2023.
Fiscal depute Alasdair Millar said: “The complainer was walking along Arthur Street in the early hours and heard two males shouting to him, the two accused.
“Not wanting any trouble, he ran in the direction of the nearby Spar shop. Both accused, and another, gave chase into the Spar shop and assaulted the complainer, punching and kicking him to the body.
"Staff pressed the panic alarm. The witness then went into a nearby takeaway, followed by the accused, who further assaulted him before staff in the takeaway intervened.
"Police attended and traced the complainer and the accused using CCTV."
Steven Maxwell, defending Stell, told Sheriff Susan Murray: “His mother and father attended each meeting I had with him, and the matter was resolved by way of a plea.
"There had been a previous incident in the course of the day involving the complainer. That was all over, and unfortunately they met later in the day.
"He is 18 years of age, has no previous convictions, and there are no outstanding matters to be dealt with.
"He is aware of the court’s powers and is aware that the incident would have been distasteful anyone who saw it.
"Given his age, lack of a record and the lack of any other matters, I would invite your Ladyship to place Mr Snell on a community payback order.”
Duffy’s solicitor said: “They went down to the beach and were subjected to abuse from the complainer. They continued down to the beach; unfortunately they came across the complainer later on.
"He seems to have turned a corner and has a very supportive family."
Sheriff Susan Turner said: "While you may have had an exchange of words with the complainer earlier, at the point you saw him this was an unprovoked attack.
“As soon as you pursue and kick someone you are 30 seconds away from a High Court trial.
"You are both extremely fortunate this wasn't worse."
Stell was put on a community payback order with 12 months of social work supervision.
Duffy, who is already under social work supervision for a previous offence, was hit with a restriction of liberty order which will see him tagged and forced to remain at home every night from 7pm to 7am for four months.
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