A teenager who stole from a schoolfriend in a revenge robbery was given a “last chance” to avoid a custodial sentence yesterday.
Ruairidh McGuire, of 42 Corrour Road, Aviemore, previously admitted menacing George Rea by displaying a knife to him, robbing him of £60 and a variety of items including two games consoles, 12 games, a bag of tools and a hooded top on March 25 this year.
Sentence had been deferred by Sheriff Margaret Neilson at Inverness Sheriff Court for a background report.
At the previous hearing, the court was told that 18 year old McGuire arrived at Mr Rea’s home in Aviemore with a knife and filled two bags with electronic equipment and clothes.
Mr Rea had smashed the windows of McGuire’s aunt in a case of mistaken identity the day before.
Soon after the robbery,the court heard that Mr Rea tried to commit suicide, amid threats from other people.
The court heard McGuire arrived at Mr Rea’s carrying two large sports bags, produced a knife from his waistband and placed it on the edge of a couch.
Yesterday, defence agent Aileen Macinnes said: “He was under the influence of his older brother and drugs at the time.
“A large part of the victim’s fear was as a result of a phone conversation with a relative of Mr McGuire. When my client was interviewed by police and was informed of Mr Rea’s state of health, he apologised and was shocked.”
Sheriff Neilson said: “It was a pre-planned robbery and he presented a knife at his victim. Why would he be shocked?”
Sentence was deferred until November 21 for good behaviour and an up to date report on McGuire’s progress on a community payback order imposed for what the Sheriff described previously as a “particularly nasty assault”.
He was told: “I will give you one last chance to stay out of a young offender’s institution. If you breach the order you are on or commit another offence, you will go into custody. Matters are in your hands.”