Three men jailed for '˜terrifying' masked attack on teens

Kieran McIntyer arrives at court in Dundee. Picture: Alan Richardson

Three men dressed in capes, masks and camouflage gear who carried out a 'terrifying' robbery on a group of teenage boys camping in the woods were jailed yesterday.

The four boys, aged 14 and 15 who cannot be named, were camping in Baldragon Woods, in Clatto Country Park, Dundee, in March last year when the three men - Adam Parkin, Kieran McIntyre and Liam Scott - hauled them out of their tents, telling them: “Get out or I’ll blow your head off.”

The boys were forced to sit on nearby rocks while torches were shone in their eyes, Dundee Sheriff Court was told. Parkin, who was wearing a cape, demanded they hand over any valuables

One of the boys had the barrel of a rifle put against the back of his head by Parkin and was then marched into his tent to retrieve his mobile phone.

Adam Parkin at court in Dundee. Picture: Alan Richardson

The terrified youngsters were then ordered to stay in their tents until sunrise or they “would be shot”.

One of the thugs later told police it was “intended as a joke”.

Fiscal depute Eilidh Robertson told Dundee Sheriff Court the boys were left “fearing for their lives” by the attack.

She went on: “The boys, two aged 14 and two aged 15, were camping and set up their tent and made a small fire, which they sat by until 11pm before going to sleep.

“Some time after midnight they were aware of rustling outside the tent and saw torchlights. A torch was then shone in and Liam Scott, putting on an English accent, said ‘are you getting up then’. Parkin then, also putting on an English accent, said ‘get out of the tent’.

“Three of the boys exited and Parkin was seen pointing a rifle at them and said ‘run and you will get shot’. All of the males were dressed in camouflage, military style clothing with faces masked and only eyes visible.”

The boys handed over phones, cash and cigarettes.

McIntyre, 21, of Campbell Street, Dundee, Scott, 19, of Eden Street, Dundee, and Parkin, 20, of St Dennis Terrace, Dundee, all pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge

of assault and robbery. Scott and Parkin futher admitted charges of possessing an air rifle without lawful authority.

Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC jailed all three for 18 months, describing the incident as a “terrifying experience” for the young boys.