Linwood mum-of-six faces jail for brick attack on teenager

Margaret Rooney, 35, hounded the teens in Linwood.

She approached the youngsters in the town’s Clippens Road on March 12 this year.

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The details emerged this week when Rooney, a mother-of-six, admitted her guilt at Paisley Sheriff Court. 

She pleaded guilty to assaulting a 13-year-old girl by throwing a brick at her and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing and chasing after the girl, as well as boys aged 14 and 16 and a 17-year-old girl, who all cannot be named for legal reasons.

Charges that she had also behaved in a threatening or abusive way by demanding the 14-year-old boy fight another youngster, and assaulted the 14-year-old by punching him, were dropped by prosecutors.

Procurator Fiscal Depute John Penman said trouble flared after Rooney had been given inaccurate information about one of the youngsters.

He explained: “The accused was advised somewhat erroneously about this boy. The accused approached him. She was seen to pick up a brick and throw it.” 

Clippens Road, where the incident occurred 

Rooney, of Wilson Avenue in Linwood, then shouted, swore and threw other things at the kids before chasing after them. Prosecutors dropped claims she had been armed with a knife. 

Back at school, the youngsters told the assistant headteacher about the incident, who then contacted police.

The incident had been recorded on a mobile phone by a witness and Rooney was eventually traced and detained, telling officers at the time:

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“I was just defending my sister.

Defence solicitor Des Ziolo said Rooney knew she could be jailed as “all sentencing options remain open.”

Sheriff Tom McCartney called for background reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing and adjourned the case until next month for this to be done.