£500 fine for grabbing young girl

A man who terrified a young girl by grabbing her at Perth’s Christmas Lights switch-on event has been fined by a sheriff.

David Gordon caused the 10-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to burst into tears.

Depute fiscal Craig Donald told Perth Sheriff Court: “This took place at 6.35pm on the day in question. At that time the complainer and her family were walking at the locus.

“The accused reached towards the complainer and grabbed her arms, pulling her back and frightening her.

“She began to cry and others questioned what he was doing, forming the opinion that he was under the influence of something, and contacted police.

“It’s worth noting that the area was very busy with families.”

Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, said the 57-year-old had had some cannabis that evening.

He said: “Her parents were next to her and there was nothing sinister in it.

“In 1987 he suffered a head injury and has no recollection of whether he was simply trying to steady himself.”

Gordon, of Barrack Street, Perth, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by seizing the girl by her arms, placing her in a state of fear and alarm, at the junction between King Edward Street and St John’s Place, Perth, on November 19 last year.

Sheriff William Wood fined Gordon £500.