Nurse found son being treated at her workplace
Mum failed to recognise him after attack
City teen still receiving treatment after he was brutally attacked
Published:
An Aberdeen nurse found her teenage son being treated at the hospital where she worked after a brutal attack in the city which left him “unrecognisable”.
Ryan Mitchell, 16, is still receiving treatment at a specialist young people’s unit following the incident in January when he was punched and kicked unconscious by William McGregor and Andrew Mearns.
Both men appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday where they pleaded guilty to the attack. Ryan, who was 15 at the time, was targeted in the city’s Clifton Road on January 11.
McGregor, 20, and Mearns, 26, admitted punching the teenager on the head causing him to fall to the ground and repeatedly punching and kicking him on the head and body, knocking him out.
Ryan’s mother Carole Mitchell, 44, of Beechwood Avenue, Aberdeen, was working at the city’s royal infirmary on the night her son was admitted and said she initially did not recognise him due to swelling to his face. She said: “I have worked in neurology and seen some very bad head injuries, but nothing can prepare you for seeing it in your own son.”
In February, Ryan was transferred to a specialist ward at Dudhope House, Dundee, where doctors have been assessing what long-term damage the attack could have on his brain. Mrs Mitchell said he has only spent a few weeks at home since the attack and was unable to sit his standard grade exams.
She added that Ryan’s family can only see him once a week and doctors say he will not be able to come home for Christmas.
Mrs Mitchell said: “His mood is very low and he is too scared to go out at night after what happened. He has missed out on so much and it has been difficult for the whole family. It is so hard going up to his room and finding it empty – it’s awful that he is not here.”
Mrs Mitchell, who is married to janitor Colin, 48, and has another son, Martin, 19, a mechanic, said yesterday’s court hearing brought memories of the incident flooding back. She added: “The whole family will be awaiting the verdict and we hope that they get what they deserve, but it will never be enough.”
McGregor, of 5D Seaton Gardens, Aberdeen, was represented in court by solicitor Keidra Morrison, while Neil McRobert acted on behalf of Mearns, whose address was given as The Ferndale B&B, 62 Bon Accord Street in the city.
Sheriff Graham Buchanan deferred sentence on the pair until December 17 for background reports. Both men were released on bail.
