Superned is behind bars for pitch fork attack

Published 25 Sep 2009 16:14

SELF-proclaimed 'Superned' Edmond Eccles who inspired Scotland's anti-social behaviour laws is back behind bars after stabbing a 13-year-old boy with a pitchfork.

Eccles (22), of Blindwells, Alva, punched one teenager, then stabbed the 13-year-old twice with the farming implement, before running at other youths with a knife in a drink-fuelled series of attacks.

Eccles was banned by bail order from most of Central Scotland nearly six years ago, after leading a teenage terror gang which made life misery for shopkeepers and residents in Alva.

However, he started a new life in Aberdeen, and later the banning order was lifted to allow him to return to Central Scotland to see family and friends.

Last Tuesday, however, Eccles was back in Stirling Sheriff Court, where he admitted assaulting the teenagers in Bannockburn, Stirling, then possessing a knife on 21 August this year.

His pleas of not guilty to another charge of resisting, obstructing, molesting and hindering two police officers, and resisting arrest, was accepted.

The court heard that Eccles had gone to Bannockburn to visit a friend.

When Eccles' friend was allegedly "threatened" by a group of teenagers, Eccles launched a series of attacks. He punched one youth on the mouth before retreating to the home of his friend's girlfriend.

He returned outside with the pitchfork, and stabbed the 13-year-old boy in the arm.

He later ran at the group with a knife, causing them to flee.

Gail Russell, prosecuting, said the youth had suffered two puncture wounds in the pitchfork attack, which occurred just before 8pm.

Miss Russell added, "Witnesses saw the accused punch the teenager in the mouth then run off from the area.

"He appeared to take refuge in a house in the area. A 13-year-old saw him run away shouting 'let me in, there's police coming. I've just battered someone'.

"Later he was seen with a pitchfork, and was seen to stab the teenager in the arm.

"He returned to the house in St Catherine Street. He then ran at the youths with a knife. The youths ran away.

"The police found him at the address in St Catherine Street, and later found the pitchfork."

Miss Russell said that when police later cautioned and charged Eccles, he told them, "It's all crap."

She added, "The youth had two puncture marks on his left arm. One below the elbow and one on the forearm, but did not require medical treatment."

Defence lawyer Stephen Maguire said Eccles had been in a relationship in Aberdeen, and had a four-year-old daughter whom he hadn't had contact with for some time, which had led him to depression.

He said, "He appreciates the serious nature of these charges. He was highly intoxicated.

"He was with a friend. A group of youths made it clear his friend would face violence. It was a large group. He retreated to the house and a group of youths followed him.

"He concedes his recollections may not be perfect. He has accepted full responsibility for what he did."

Sheriff Andrew Cubie rejected Eccles' request for bail, and told him, "I'm going to order reports. As for your previous record there are eight convictions for assault, one for police assault, one conviction for offensive weapons and four breaches of special conditions of bail.

"All of this means you'll be remanded in custody during the preparation of reports."

Eccles claimed the title 'Superned' for himself in 2004 when he appeared at the Alloa court to be sentenced for 17 offences of assault, theft, housebreaking and vandalism in Alva while he ran the hooligan gang.

The crime spree began in January 2003 and threatened to bring Alva to its knees.

At one stage Eccles, then still only 15, marched through down the main street shouting, "I run Alva."

A policeman who tried to restrain him was bitten on the leg - right through the thick cloth of his uniformed trousers.

Other cops were told by Eccles, "I'll get a bomb and blow you up. I'll kill your family. I'll murder your children. I'll be chopping your heads off, shooting your family and setting you on fire, great balls of fire, I'm a psycho."

Eventually, former First Minister Jack McConnell visited the town in person to see what could be done.

Tweet

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @alloatiser