Pensioner attack youth detained

Alexander Pullar died in hospital a day after the attack

A teenager who jumped on a pensioner's head until his skull cracked has been sent to Carstairs State Hospital.

Steven Brownlie, 16, from Cumbernauld, was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh for his role in the attack on Alexander Pullar, 63, last March.

Christopher Slonaker, 17, and a 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had previously been sentenced over the attack.

Mr Pullar was robbed and battered to death outside a pub in Cumbernauld.

The attack outside the Swan Inn in Greenfaulds took place a year after his diabetic wife Moira was given a fatal dose of insulin in hospital.

(Brownlie) even gave a demonstration of how he held onto a branch above his head while jumping up and down on his victim's head Lady Paton

Of the three youths who originally stood trial over Mr Pullar's murder, two of them were sentenced to three years' detention each after pleading guilty to assault and robbery.

Lady Paton ruled that the third, Brownlie, was responsible for Mr Pullar's death - but was not guilty of murder because he was insane and unfit for trial.

However, on Monday the judge ordered Brownlie should be sent to Carstairs State Hospital.

Skull cracked

He will then be sent to another secure unit in England as Carstairs only treats patients over 18 years of age.

Lady Paton said Brownlie had shown no remorse when he heard of the death of "much loved and respected" Mr Pullar.

She added: "On the contrary he boasted to friends and acquaintances that he had 'do'ed' an old man, battered someone, jumped on his victim's head until he heard the skull crack under his feet."

The judge said: "He even gave a demonstration of how he held onto a branch above his head while jumping up and down on his victim's head."

Lady Paton, described the evidence as "horrifying and sickening" for all who heard it, particularly Mr Pullar's family.

'Public duty'

Psychiatrists said Brownlie suffered from a "learning disability" which could be helped by hospital treatment but he would pose a threat to the public if he remained at liberty.

Lady Paton imposed a hospital order sending Brownlie to Carstairs until his transfer to a unit in England.

Brownlie's QC, Norman Ritchie, said the medical evidence suggested Carstairs was "inappropriate" and the hospital might refuse to admit the teenager.

However, Lady Paton told him that Brownlie was clearly a danger to others.

She added: "In all the circumstances I would be failing in my public duty if I were to nominate anywhere but Carstairs as the place where Brownlie should go."

The judge ordered that Brownlie should remain in hospital unless freed by Scottish ministers.