sex offenders’ register

worse. The woman agreed with Mr Gravelle she would not have reported the matter to the police if it had not been for the situation involving her friend, who had been in tears.

‘It occurs all the time and I wouldn’t have wanted to waste police time – almost every time you go out it happens. It’s second nature in this day and age,’ she added.

The second woman, the younger of the two, was visibly upset while giving her evidence alleging that the man behind her had put his hands up her skirt and touched her.

‘I felt shocked. I didn’t expect something like that to happen. I am sure it was the person behind me.

‘I got upset thinking it might have been something I had worn that was the reason this happened to me.

‘I am 99 per cent certain it was the man behind me who touched me as when I turned round he was the only person sitting in close enough proximity to have done that,’ said the younger woman.

‘I now realise it wasn’t my fault and it shouldn’t have happened.’

The police were alerted after the two women had spoken with bar staff. The two men who had been sitting behind the women, including Plant, were pointed out to the bar’s bouncers and Plant was asked to leave the premises.

The bar’s head door steward had agreed the night in question was one of the busiest nights of the bar’s year.

He told how a female steward had escorted Plant outside along with himself to speak to Plant and ascertain what had happened.

There was no defence evidence led in the case and Plant himself did not take the witness stand.

Summing up, Mr Weir said the witnesses gave their evidence in a forthright and honest manner under what he said had been ‘very skilful’ cross examination by Mr Gravelle.

‘They maintained their positions. The first witness from charge two very fairly admitted she didn’t see who did it; said there were two people behind her and I suggest that points to her credibility,’ said Mr Weir.

‘There is the CCTV evidence available to draw the conclusion of credibility of witnesses accounts. This only adds to their credibility. Both admit to having alcohol but given the time periods, they are reliable.

‘There is the fact a person was detained by police. If you accept the evidence as reliable and credibly then the accused is the person responsible.’

Mr Gravelle summing up said: ‘The band was playing; the CCTV does not show contact being made with the area of the witness’s backside. It fundamentally does not and cannot provide any evidence of context,’ he told the court.

However, Sheriff MacDonald said she found the evidences of the witnesses credible and reliable – ‘I believe these girls,’ she said.

‘In the circumstances, on charge two I am not satisfied as to the manner of touching, so I find that charge not proven. But on charge one, I find you guilty. I defer sentence for the preparation of a Community Justice Social Work Report and you will be subject to the notifcation requirements – this means you are placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register as from today.’

Plant must return to court for sentencing on August 14 and bail was continued.