Two girls face arrest over bullying

A SCOTTISH sheriff gave police powers yesterday to arrest two schoolgirls if they continue an alleged campaign of bullying and abuse against a fellow student.

Jenny Soutar, 17, of Blairgowrie, obtained an interim interdict against four girls at Blairgowrie High School last week after claiming she had been subjected to eight months of bullying.

At Perth Sheriff Court yesterday, Sheriff Michael Fletcher granted a further order against two of the pupils and authorised police to arrest them if the court order was breached.

Sheriff Fletcher warned the girls that they could be jailed if they failed to comply with the court.

The non-molestation orders also bar the girls from inciting other pupils to abuse, threaten or use violence against Jenny. The interdict the Scottish equivalent of an injunction was withdrawn against a third girl after she gave an undertaking to the court not to repeat the alleged abuse.

The order against the fourth girl was temporarily continued for a week to allow her to seek legal advice.

Jenny's lawyer, Mike Tavendale, said she had "suffered greatly" as a result of the abuse and had not yet felt able to return to the Perthshire school.

He told the court: "throughout the past six months, the defenders have shown a complete and utter disregard not only for the school, but also in their complying with certain standards of behaviour that one would expect children of that age.

"The result of that behaviour has been that my client has suffered greatly.

"She has not yet returned to school, but she hopes to return very shortly."

Mr Tavendale added that Jenny, who is a prefect at the school, was to begin her Higher exams next week.