A group of school pupils helped catch a man who assaulted a child near an Aberdeen secondary.
It is understood the youngsters followed him to a bus stop after he was involved in a fracas with an 11-year-old boy.
Police were called to Hazlehead Gardens – near Hazlehead Academy – amid reports of a disturbance.
It is believed a man got into an altercation with a youngster before lashing out at him.
It is understood pupils from the4 secondary school then followed the attacker to a bus stop, where he was later detained by police.
Last night, a worried mother with a child at Hazlehead Academy said she had been told the man had attempted to flee the area but was pursued by the children.
The woman said: “My boy told me that it’s been all the buzz at school.
“Apparently the older man had a scuffle with the boy and they all followed him to find his address to call the police.
“They got to the bus stop beside the skyscrapers but someone had already called the police on their mobile.”
Other parents said they had not been made aware of the incident by the school.
The man has been charged with assault and a report submitted to the
procurator fiscal.
Chairman of Aberdeen Safety Partnership and Hazlehead councillor Martin Greig urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the authorities.
He said: “The news about this incident is shocking to hear.
“Hazlehead and the surrounding areas are relatively safe and pleasant environments.
“Pupils at the schools should feel that they are working in a secure area.
“It will be a real worry to parents and family of pupils.”
His comments were echoed by fellow ward councillor Ross Thomson.
He said: “Hazlehead is a quiet and safe community. If these allegations are proven true then it will come as a deep shock to local residents.
“Incidents are very uncommon in Hazlehead as it’s such a peaceful area.”
Craigiebuckler and Seafield Community Council vice-chairman William Sell said he was “deeply shocked”.
He said: “My thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the pupil supposedly involved in this.
“This is shocking, I’ve never heard of anything like this happening at this excellent school in the 16 years I’ve lived in the area.”
A police spokesman said: “A 46-year-old man has been charged in relation to an assault.
“A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal and the man will appear in court at a later date.”
A council spokesman said that because a police investigation was active the local authority would be making no comment.