A COUNCIL worker hunted down a boy age 13 and lifted him up then pinned him against a fridge after he kicked a football in his garden – before then assaulting a female copper.

Peter McGuire, 52, pleaded guilty to assaulting the child to his injury on May 15 this year, then assaulting an officer while resisting arrest the next day.

McGuire admitted the offences before facing trial on Thursday afternoon last week [August 5].

However, he was admonished on the child assault rap after his defence told the court his client had trouble with youths in the area – and that this ball kicking incident caused distress to his daughter and dog.

The procurator fiscal said: “At 4.45pm that afternoon, the witnesses were walking towards the Costcutters store along Balgray Way. The witnesses came across a ball and kicked it into a garden.

“He came out and saw the three witnesses then make their way into the store.

“The accused entered and grabbed hold of his hoody holding him to his tiptoes and pinned him to the fridge with his hands round his neck while shouting, then the accused stormed out the store.

“All three witnesses were very scared and red marks were seen. The incident was reported to police. At 11am on May 16, police attended his address and [he] was made aware he was under arrest. The accused began resisting and struggling.

“He forcibly twisted her arm to release his arm before the accused was eventually brought under control and taken to Saltcoats Police Station where he was cautioned and charged.”

Defence solicitor Peter Murray said his client recognised he should not have acted out – after deciding to give the victim a “piece of his mind”. The court heard youngsters in the area had been causing problems.

Mr Murray added: “He is now 52, a married man with a wife and daughter now 21and due to give birth at the time. He is in full time employment with the local authority. There were ongoing issues in Balgray Way with young teenagers. He was young once, he has no issue with them [youngsters] but there had been a history of youths damaging his property, some accidental some deliberate. His door had been repeatedly kicked.

“He knew he overstepped the mark. He then thought he would get a warning and on apprehending him he acted badly. He has no previous conviction.”

Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane told McGuire: “Frustrating as it is, as you will accept yourself, you cannot behave in that manner.”

McGuire was admonished for assaulting the teenager, but fined £270 and £180 for attacking police and resisting arrest.