A bigoted Scots schoolboy who knocked a rival's teeth out after an anti-English tirade at a family gathering has been allowed to escape any punishment.
Cameron Richmond was 15 when he knocked out Kyle Taylor's teeth by launching a glass into his face as a bowling club party descended into a mass brawl.
But Sheriff William Wood admonished Richmond, now 19, after hearing the prosecution against him had been delayed by the Crown for almost two years.
He also noted his age and the negative impact the assault conviction has had on his desire to pursue a career in marine engineering, and that he had stayed out of trouble since the 2019 incident.
Sheriff Wood told Richmond: "I do hope you don't darken the door of the criminal court again at any time in the future. I do wish you well for the future. With some hesitation I am going to do what your solicitor has asked me to do, which is simply to admonish you.
"Quite clearly you were at fault. You had taken alcohol, but that is never an excuse for what happens. You are supposed to be able to control your own actions." Richmond replied: "Thank you very much."
A trial heard how Richmond also struck Helena Taylor on the side of the head as several party-goers tried to get to him to wreak revenge upon him before his mother stepped in to rescue him.
Richmond, an engineer, was found guilty of assaulting Mr and Ms Taylor at Alyth Bowling Club in Perthshire on 12 October 2019 after a three-day trial at Perth Sheriff Court. He was also found guilty of bigotry.
Sheriff William Wood said: "This was a very unsavoury incident at what was supposed to be a happy family gathering. No-one was expecting there to be difficulty or trouble.
"At some point the young people had gathered in the games room. Music was being played by Mr McGrath. There was what began as a bit of banter.
"Mr Richmond accepts uttering threats of violence and a racist remark, which he deems even now to be banter. To call someone an 'English p****k' must clearly be seen as racist.
"It was clearly intended to be abusive. There was a confrontation between Kyle Taylor and Cameron Richmond. That resulted in Mr Taylor striking him or pushing him in some way.
"There was a facing off in which they pushed each other. Mr Richmond turned and threw a glass at Mr Taylor, striking him full in the face and causing damage to a number of teeth and requiring him to have treatment to his lips.
"That seems to be a severe injury. Mr Richmond said this was done in self-defence, but I can't accept that. It wasn't a proportionate reaction. It was an appalling injury.
"Having your teeth broken violently is one of the worst things that can happen in this sort of incident. There was then a fracas. Mr Richmond struck Miss Taylor on the side of the head. This was a very unpleasant incident and I don't accept your explanation.
"At best, what can be said is that you threw the glass in retaliation. It did cause injury. Clearly you were out of order, shouting, swearing and uttering racist remarks."
Richmond, from Kilmarnock, told the trial: "There was a bit of banter, talking about music. All of a sudden it got very heated within a matter of seconds. An altercation happened where someone came up and started picking a fight.
"There was a bit of playful banter and he got angry. He hit me on the back of the head. I fell forward. I was 15 and he was 20. I had a pint glass in my hand. As I fell forward I threw it in his general direction. There was a bit of a scuffle.
"People were jumping on me. I was pulled away. There was a massive scuffle. I was trying to break free, flailing. Everyone was on top of me."
His mother, communications manager Georgina Richmond, 55, said: "It was a family reunion. I heard a commotion and I went through. I was aware Cameron was in one corner of the room. He had been backed into a corner.
"There was a big crowd of people trying to get to him. There was a complete melee of people. I was shouting 'he's only 15.' The whole incident has had a fairly bad effect on him."
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