Teen, 15, beat 'much-loved family man' to death in attack in Alness garden

A teenager punched and kicked a “much-loved family man” to death in a frenzied attack because he thought a woman was being sexually assaulted.

The then 15-year-old assaulted Scott Mitchell in the garden of the Milnafua housing estate in Alness on June 17, 2023.

He appeared before Lord Arthurson in the High Court in Inverness, aged 17, where he admitted the culpable homicide of the 48-year-old BT engineer from Alness.

The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded to secure accommodation by the judge until sentencing on July 1.

Lord Arthurson warned the teenager that a lengthy custodial sentence was “inevitable” for what he described a “serious and grave crime”.

‘Serious and grave crime’

The court heard how the victim was lying on a patio being repeatedly punched and kicked on the head.

A post mortem found that Mr Mitchell died from blunt force facial injuries which may also have impeded his breathing.

Advocate depute Graeme Jessop KC told the court that Mr Mitchell and the woman had met in the Station Bar, Alness and had been drinking extensively.

Blood analysis of Mr Mitchell determined that he was five times the legal drink drive limit.

Mr Jessop said that the woman was told by bar staff that she would not be served any more alcohol and she returned to her home with Mr Mitchell.

Mr Jessop went on: “They didn’t know each other before but there was some flirtatious interaction in the bar. They got a taxi home and went into the garden and sat on a swing chair. Mr Mitchell kissed her and initiated sexual contact with her.”

Mr Jessop said that the youth, after drinking alcohol at a friend’s house, was walking home when he saw them just after midnight.

He perceived she was being sexually assaulted and repeatedly punched Mr Mitchell on the face, the prosecutor stated.

‘Screams of anger’

He continued: “A neighbour heard his (the accused) screams of anger and shouted at him to leave Mr Mitchell alone.

He stopped briefly and then replied: ‘He is a pervert’ and then continued to punch and kick Mr Mitchell.”

Mr Jessop added that Mr Mitchell, who was separated from his wife at the time and no convictions, was unable to get off the ground as the blows rained down on his head for several minutes until a witness pulled the teenager away from him.

Police were called and officers gave Mr Mitchell CPR until paramedics arrived around ten minutes later.

Mr Jessop said that despite their extensive efforts, Mr Mitchell could not be revived.

The boy knew police were looking for him and met officers at a nearby park just before 1am. He was crying and still had bloodied hands and clothing.

Mr Jessop continued: “He said later ‘I have an anger problem which I can control normally but seeing what I did last night, there was no chance I could control myself.”

He went on: “Mr Mitchell’s mother passed away on the first anniversary of his death but there are victim impact statements from his brother and sister.”

Defence counsel Donald Findlay KC decided to reserve a full plea of mitigation until sentencing but told the judge: “My client had a reasonable belief that the woman was being sexually assaulted. He was rallying to the defence of the woman as he perceived it.

“This has had a huge impact on a great number of people, not least the young man I represent.”

‘Loved by all that knew him’

In a statement released after his death, Mr Mitchell’s family said he was “a family man, father of two, son, uncle and great uncle to his family and loved by all that knew him”.

“The family are devastated at the senseless loss of Scott.

“Scott loved the outdoors and was a keen runner, golfer and cyclist who will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”