Edinburgh teen avoids jails after admitting T in the Park assault

A teenager sparked a major police and security response at T in the Park after he was seen knocking a stranger to the ground with a series of blows.

The incident took place at T in the Park.

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Several police units and at least four security staff were called in after Jamie Murray, 19, was seen assaulting Thomas Hitchings in the music festival’s camp site area.

Murray was placed on a curfew for the next six months when he admitted assault yesterday - but will be freed in time to return to next year’s T in the Park.

He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work in the community, placed under social work supervision for 18 months, and ordered to pay his victim £300.

Murray, Wharton Square, Edinburgh, admitted attacking Mr Hitchings at the Strathallan Castle venue on July 9 this year by trying to kick him before repeatedly punching him on the head to his injury.

Fiscal depute Bill Kermode told Perth Sheriff Court: “Four security staff were on patrol when they saw the complainer and the accused square up to each other.

“”They saw the accused punch the complainer to the head, causing him to fall to the ground. One officer tried to haul the accused off. The accused punched the complainer again on the ground.

“Security guards got the complainer off the ground and took him to the medical tent. Police were contacted and several units attended. The complainer had significant swelling to both eyes.”

Murray’s solicitor told the court that the incident was sparked by the victim making sexual remarks to female members of his client’s group as they sat drinking by their tent.

He claimed that Mr Hitchings had made a deeply offensive comment about Murray’s mother which had provoked him into reacting violently. He admitted his client had a “dreadful record”.

The court was told that Murray, who appeared from custody yesterday, had been held on remand since being arrested at the festival back in the summer.

Sheriff William Wood said: “My initial thoughts are to send you back to prison. You do have a significant record for offences of violence.

“If you don’t stop this revolving door your future is pretty bleak. You are a young man of 19 and facing the prospect of life in adult custody unless you get hold of yourself and stop behaving like an idiot.

“I’m sure friends and family have told you that. You are the only person who can change. You have avoided custody by the skin of your teeth.”