A TRANENT man assaulted a young boy during an incident at a McDonald’s restaurant.

Graeme Malcolm struck the boy to the head while he was holding a cup, causing the liquid to spill over him.

Malcolm, of Carlaverock Crescent, was said to have lashed out at the 12-year-old boy while “under provocation”.

The 36-year-old father-of-two had previously admitted the assault during an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and he returned to find out his fate on Monday.

Sheriff Adrian Cottam was told that Malcolm “accepted responsibility” for his actions on January 26 and that he “does not try to blame anyone else”.

Solicitor David Storrie, defending, added that his client was “anxious around crowds” and that the Crown had accepted there had been provocation to the assault.

Mr Storrie added that Malcolm was “remorseful for his actions” and that he wanted to “apologise to the boy” in person.

Sheriff Cottam noted that Malcolm had a previous conviction for an offence in 2008 and said he wanted to keep an eye his behaviour over the coming months.

Sentence was deferred to September 2.

Malcolm admitted to assaulting a 12-year-old boy by striking him to the head while holding a cup of liquid, which caused the liquid to spill over the boy, at McDonald’s, Fort Kinnaird, Edinburgh, on January 26.