A TEENAGER who struck another male on the head with a metal pole has been told he was fortunate the consequences were not more severe.

The 17-year-old – who cannot be named for legal reasons – pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to the assault which happened at a park last year.

Fiona Hamilton, prosecuting, said the teenager approached a group at around 5.30pm and went behind some bushes and produced the metal pole.

He then struck the male on the head with the pole at full force which caused a two-centimetre cut on his head requiring three stitches.

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Defence lawyer Liam Alexander admitted his client had been very fortunate that the victim did not have more serious injuries.

He said he had now moved away. Sheriff Robert Vaughan expressed concern at the contents of background reports which stated the teenager irregularly consumed alcohol and cocaine which he described as a “dangerous cocktail”.

He added: “People have ended up in the High Court for actions such as this. You were very fortunate and so was your victim.”

The 17-year-old was ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work and placed on supervision for 18 months.