Lamb thrown on fire 'for a laugh'
BBC 18 Dec 2007
A teenager who threw a live lamb onto a fire "for a laugh" has avoided a custodial sentence.
Scott Douglas was celebrating his 17th birthday when he removed the lamb from its mother in a field near Loch Ness.
He was sentenced to 200 hours community service at Inverness Sheriff Court and banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
Sheriff Kenneth Robb told Douglas his actions had caused "considerable public revulsion".
Apprentice joiner Douglas had faced up to 12 months' detention or a £10,000 fine after admitting causing the animal unnecessary suffering.
Fiscal depute Sandy Collie told the court that Douglas and his friends had been celebrating his birthday by camping at Kerrow Bridge in Cannich on 28 May.
He has brought public shame on himself and his family
Mr Collie said: "Initially he had gone to get the lamb from the river bank where it was with its mother and other lambs.
"On taking it to the other youths one of them said to behave and to leave it alone, and it was returned.
"However, he then went and got the lamb again and took it back and threw it on the fire."
The fiscal added: "He was indicating that he was wishing to have it for his dinner. Drink was not an issue here prior to the killing of the lamb."
Douglas, of Dall Cottage in Balnain, Drumnadrochit, later told police: "I was going to have a laugh."
Defence lawyer David MacNeill said one of Douglas's friends had grabbed the lamb from the fire but it was so badly burnt he "put it out of its misery".
He added that his client's parents had donated £500 to the Scottish SPCA, and Douglas was to pay them back.
'Horribly repulsive'
Mr MacNeill added: "He deeply regrets what he did. He has already suffered. There were comments posted on the internet after what occurred. He has brought public shame on himself and his family."
"It seems clear the lamb was injured at the time he threw it on the fire. It appears to be an impulsive act, although horribly repulsive."
Sheriff Robb told Douglas: "Very clearly and understandably there is considerable public revulsion at the act you did and it is a serious matter.
"At the age of 17 you ought to have thought of the horror of throwing a living creature on to an open fire. The explanation of it having a dodgy leg is nothing."
The sheriff added: "Public interest demands there is a penalty. You must give back to the community to dissuade the horror they feel."
Speaking after the case, a spokeswoman for the Scottish SPCA said young people who commit acts of cruelty against animals often go on to inflict violence on humans.
She added: "The sentencing means this young man is now in the system and, to a degree, his behaviour will be monitored.
"Research frequently indicates this level of violence often escalates and the animal is the first victim.
"In certain states of America crimes of this type have psychological assessment. This has been helpful in identifying violent behaviour."
Douglas's parents have made a donation to the SSPCA
Teenager burned after trying to torch
car
By Gordon Smith - Edinburgh Evening
News - 18-12-2007
A teenager who poured petrol over the inside of a parked car and then used his lighter to start a fire suffered burns to his face, neck and hands when the petrol vapour exploded.
Because of his injuries, Daryl Ness, 19, now has to stay out of direct sunlight for a year and wear sun block.
Sitting in Edinburgh today, Sheriff Fiona Reith heard that Ness' friend, Craig Walker, also 19, told the police that somebody had assaulted Ness with a blowtorch.
Ness, of Upper Grove Place, Edinburgh, had previously pleaded guilty to wilfully setting fire to the car in Brandfield Street on August 5 last year; and Walker of Hermiston Court, also Edinburgh, had admitted wasting police time by making a false statement. Sentence had been deferred for background reports.
Fiscal Malcolm Stewart said Ness had found a petrol canister inside the car, doused the inside of the vehicle with the petrol and lit his lighter, at which point the petrol vapour exploded back into his face.
The two youths, who lived in the Broomhouse area at the time of the incident, went back to Walker's home. Ness' injuries were becoming so painful that he stood under a cold shower to try and ease the pain, but eventually the pair decided to call an ambulance.
Mr Stewart said it was obvious to the ambulance crew that Ness needed treatment and he was taken to St John's Hospital in Livingston.
When Walker was being interviewed by police he told them that somebody had got hold of Ness in the Broomhouse underpass and held a blowtorch to his face.
The Fiscal said the officers became suspicious and "put two and two together" with the car being set on fire
Sentence was again deferred on the two teenagers to allow a psychological report to be prepared on Ness.
See also:
Scotland - most dangerous country UN report
Scottish killings rise by a quarter
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