Craig Drain booted in the door of John H Glen & Son petrol station on Main Street, Alexandria, when he was told by a worker that he was barred from the shop.

The 17-year-old then threatened to “slash and stab” the male employee during a violent outburst that landed the company with a bill of £1,414 to repair the damage.

Drain returned to Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week after having admitted the April 1 offence but his lawyer Roddy Boag said his client’s financial dire straights ruled out any possibility of him paying compensation for the damage caused.

Mr Boag said Drain was working night shift for a diary doing “five night shifts per week”, working from 10pm until 6am, for which he is being paid £60 per fortnight.

Sheriff Thomas McCartney asked why Drain wasn’t being paid the minimum wage to which Mr Boag explained his client was being paid “cash in hand”.

He added: “He is looking to work, he wants to work and he will do anything he can but that is what he is being paid.” The court was told that on the night of Drain’s outburst he was approached by a member of staff who told him he was barred from entering the shop.

The worker opened the door and asked Drain to leave but was met by a rant from the youngster as he made his way outside.

While standing on the forecourt the teenager’s tirade continued and he told the shocked male worker how he was going to “slash and stab him.” After the distressed member of staff closed the door, Drain charged towards it and smashed the glass on the door, while worried staff contacted police.

Mr Boag said that although his client’s financial means were dire he was a suitable candidate for unpaid work.

He added: “There has been health issues and he was not taking his medication and that may in some ways have led to difficulties with his behaviour.

Sheriff McCartney placed Drain., of Hill Street, Alexandria, under supervision for a year and ordered him to perform 100 hours unpaid work as an alternative to compensation.