Two teenagers have appeared in court accused of vandalising a new school just four months after the £42 million campus was completed.
The boys, both aged 16, are each accused of forcing their way into Lossiemouth High School on September 28 this year.
It’s alleged that the teenagers damaged external and internal doors as well as a computer, Elgin Sheriff Court was told.
The pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to their age, each faced a charge of vandalism to which they did not enter a plea.
Prosecutors had sought bail conditions that would ban the boys from Lossiemouth altogether, but Sheriff Eric Brown felt that would be disproportionate.
Lossiemouth town ban not ‘justified or proportionate’
Fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh argued it was in the public interest for the teenagers to be forbidden from the Moray town.
However, defence agents Grant Dalglish and Ben Thom said banning their clients from Lossiemouth completely would be over-restrictive, as both teens have friendship groups there.
Sheriff Brown told the accused: “The Crown has, in effect, sought to ban you from Lossiemouth, but I do not accept that condition would be justified or proportionate.
“There’s nothing to suggest the alleged behaviour, and it is still an allegation and you are entitled to the presumption of innocence, would be repeated or any other alleged offences committed.
“I can’t see any proper basis on which I can restrict you from going about your daily business or from entering the town.”
Pupils moved into the new Lossiemouth High School in April 2021 but the £42 million campus wasn’t officially completed until May 2022, just four months before the alleged break-in.
The court case against the boys was continued without plea to a further hearing next month.
They were bailed on standard conditions only.
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