Young girls ‘upset and scared’ by pensioner’s comments on bus

Two young girls were left upset and frightened by the comments of a drunk pensioner who pestered them on a bus.

John Stein, 67, of Poplar Grove, Dunfermline, admitted causing a breach of the peace by conducting himself in a disorderly manner on a Stagecoach bus travelling between James Street and Pitcorthie Drive on July 4.

Stein swore repeatedly and made offensive comments towards two girls, both aged 11, asking them personal questions and making personal comments about their appearance and about a sex act.

Depute fiscal Alex Piper told Dunfermline Sheriff Court: “The witnesses were waiting for a bus in the afternoon. The accused approached the girls and asked to sit on the bench next to them.”

When the bus arrived, Stein spoke to some boys and told them to move from where they were sitting. He sat down next to a girl, who moved away. He then started to talk to the other two girls about “not taking bad drugs”.

He told one of the girls that when she grew up she would take drugs and made derogatory comments about the boys. He then told one of the girls she had beautiful hair and said his hair had been that colour when he was young.

He then asked the girl what age she was and where she lived.

“The two girls were scared and upset – they could smell alcohol from him,” said the depute.

“Another adult came over and asked if the girls were OK.”

Defence solicitor Ian Beatson said Stein “didn’t set out to scare the girls”, calling it a “one-off” and a “wake-up call”.

Sheriff Craig McSherry fined him £400.