Samuel Barlow’s parents broke down as their “vulnerable” son was led away yesterday and say they fear for his wellbeing behind bars.
Speaking to the Press and Journal last night, his father Paul said the sentence had “completely destroyed” the family.
“In my mind it would have been better if he had been given some kind of community sentence which could have helped him move on,” he said.
“It would have been better for him.”
A psychological assessment, prepared for the sheriff with the cooperation of Barlow’s mother, showed the 16-year-old was a vulnerable teenager who had suffered a mental breakdown last March.
Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said Barlow had developed a “sensitivity to criticism” and was someone who found social situations difficult to cope with.
He had taken refuge in the internet, he added, and had become involved in an online relationship with a girl he had never met in person, but who appeared to have “a fair amount of control and influence” over him.
On the day in question the girl told him she was going to take her own life, said Mr Allen.
The teenager blamed himself for this and left his home in Wester Skeld, setting off a chain of events culminating in the standoff with armed police.
Last night Mr Barlow said the sentence had “destroyed” the family
“I’m worried for him spending three years mixing with others in prison. I don’t think that is the best thing for him,” he said.
“The crimes occurred and he frightened a lot of people but as I’ve already said did it because he wanted to die himself. I don’t think being in custody will help him get over that.”