Boy loses tooth as ice cream man assaults him

Tuesday 07 August 2018

The ice cream man from the familiar ice cream truck situated at Havelet has pleaded guilty to assaulting a 12-year-old boy while he was working.

Alan Donaldson, 58, pleaded guilty yesterday to the charge of assault on a minor while appearing in the Magistrate's Court. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, lost a tooth and sustained injuries following a blow to the face.

The court heard how on 25 July the boy had been leaning into the window of the ice cream van and that in response Donaldson hit him, causing a tooth to be knocked out of the victim's mouth.

Pictured: The ice cream van usually located at Havelet.

Defence Advocate Maindonald asked for a short adjournment prior to sentencing as she wished to get a doctor's report as part of his mitigation. It was also questioned if probation reports would be required.

Judge Graeme McKerrell stated he doubted that there would be a need for a probation report and that he did not want to waste their time at this stage in the proceedings.

The matter was adjourned till the end of August where the judge will hear all the facts and mitigation before deciding whether to sentence at that time or request a probation report prior to sentencing.