A teenager assaulted a man during an Ayrshire bus journey after his wife complained when youngsters opened a window on board the vehicle.

The 17-year-old was later caught with a blade after what his lawyer described as a game of “pass the parcel” when police arrived at the scene.

The teen, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, admitted injuring the man by punching him on the head and body during a bus journey between Troon and Kilmarnock on May 31.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed weapon, specified as a knife, after police arrived at the scene on Troon’s Central Avenue. 

A not guilty plea to a third charge was accepted by prosecutors, when he appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court.

Procurator fiscal depute Jade Podlesny said: “At 8.50pm the complainer and his wife were in a bus. At that time youths boarded the bus, including the accused. 

“The youths were rowdy and started talking and opening all the windows. 

“The complainer's wife told them not to, due to feeling cold. This was ignored by the youths and she made the same request. 

“At this point the accused punched the complainer to his head and body. The bus then stopped.

“The fight then spilled on to the public footpath. The driver managed to separate the complainer and accused.

“Police were then contacted and traced the accused, who was noted to have a black handled knife, which then fell to the ground. 

"The resulting injuries suffered included bruising to the face and a black eye."

The teen was arrested and made no reply when he was cautioned and charged.

Defence agent Robert Logan said: "He is only 17 years of age. He suffered adverse childhood experiences and is care-experienced.

“He tells me the complainer struck the first blow.

"He says one of the other boys gave him the knife - I think they were playing ‘pass the parcel’ when the police arrived."

Sheriff Desmond Leslie agreed to send the Kilmarnock teen's case to the children's panel system, in line with a recommendation in a social work report.