Drunk sexually assaulted woman

A Coalsnaughton man who sexually assaulted a woman on a bus, while under the influence of alcohol, has appeared at court.

Paul Jeffrey Dawson, of School Terrace, was this week placed under supervision for two years and put on the sex offenders’ register for the same length of time.

The 39-year-old sexually assaulted his victim by attempting to kiss her on the face, touching her leg and moving his hand over her leg.

The incident happened while he was on the number 54 bus service at Goosecroft Road – as it was travelling towards Braehead – on May 28.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard this week how Dawson, who was found guilty at trial, was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence.

Defence solicitor Frazer McCready said that he had been released on bail at the end of his trial, where Sheriff William Gilchrist had described his actions as “drunken behaviour”.

Passing sentence this week, Sheriff Gilchrist said: “I am satisfied this was drunken behaviour. It was an unwanted advance towards the young lady in question, and due to your drunken state you did not appreciate the extent to which it was unwanted.”

Dawson’s supervision order requires him to comply with the Signpost programme which aims to help people access support to overcome their issues with alcohol or drugs.