A teenager involved in a Hamilton bus terminal assault has been given the “benefit of the doubt” and allowed to continue his studies in Britain.

Adonis Robinson, 17, and friend Tarik Ebbin, 18, pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting a 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in an altercation on September 11.

An apologetic Robinson had previously told officers at Hamilton Police Station that he was only trying to break up the fight, although he admitted punching the complainant in the mouth after twice being punched in the face himself.

A day before the attack, Robinson had fought with the same adversary, but the pair were separated by bystanders.

After the bus terminal incident, which left the complainant with no lasting injuries, the defendants fled the area. They were arrested later that day on Dundonald Street.

Robinson, from Warwick, and Ebbin, from Smith’s, appeared again before Magistrates’ Court today after agreeing to submit to social inquiry reports last month.

The court heard that the case had delayed Robinson, who had no previous convictions, from returning to his studies in Britain.

“This is a young man with a future,” his lawyer said. “He has learnt a serious lesson.”

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo told Robinson: “You’re otherwise on a course to improve yourself. I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt.”

Ebbin, who was on probation for another offence when the fight took place, was referred to mental health court because of previous convictions, including burglary.

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