A SAUCHIE man, described by a sheriff as having an "abhorrent" attitude to violence, has been spared a prison sentence for attacking two teenage boys.

Jack Logan, 22, was told he would have been jailed if it were not for changes introduced in 2021 by the Scottish Sentencing Council designed to protect people aged 18 to 24 from jail sentences in most cases.

Prosecutor Rachel Hill said the incident occurred about 10pm on Saturday, April 17, last year, on Ochil Street, Tullibody, as the teenagers, aged 15 and 17, were returning from a visit to a takeaway.

Ms Hill said that after a conversation about their ages, Logan headbutted the younger boy, causing swelling and a bleeding lip.

The older boy grabbed Logan by the shoulders to stop him inflicting any further injury, and Logan struck him on the head twice with a bottle and a torch he was carrying.

The bottle smashed, and the 17-year-old victim stumbled and fell forwards to the ground.

Logan began making movements towards the 17-year-old as he lay on the ground, but he was stopped by the 15-year-old, and then made off.

After removing glass from his hair, the 17-year-old boy found he had been left with a bruised arm, and cuts to his face, one of which left a small scar on his forehead above his eyebrow.

The younger boy did not require any medical treatment.

Logan was arrested two days later.

Solicitor Robert Smith, defending, said the incident had followed "an altercation" with the boys.

Logan, of Sauchie, appeared for sentence at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, October 27, after admitting the assaults.

A social enquiry report prepared for the hearing stated Logan had "a disturbing attitude to violence".

Sheriff Christopher Shead said Logan was "protected" from being jailed by the recently-introduced presumption against custody for offenders under 25.

He placed Logan on social work supervision for two years, and ordered him to carry out 180 hours unpaid work.

He told him: "These offences are serious. A few years ago you'd have ,simply been receiving a custodial sentence.

"However, sentencing principles have developed since then and it's incumbent on the court to take into account your age, amongst other consideration."

The sheriff said told him the period of social work supervision was "to confront your abhorrent attitudes to violence".