Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Jail for man who menaced women
A MAN has been jailed for menacing women and making “alarming noises” in Perth city centre.
Craig Kennedy’s disturbing behaviour sparked a social media scare as his victims posted about their experiences online and urged others to “stay vigilant”.
The 35-year-old appeared at Perth Sheriff Court where he pled guilty to three charges of breach of the peace in late 2022 and early 2023.
The court heard how he followed and jumped out at one woman as she walked near the South Inch.
Female pub workers were also warned about his bizarre actions.
Kennedy, already serving time for assault, was locked up for 90 days.
The court heard he was seen loitering around the Bee Bar on South Methven Street on November 22 2022 and repeatedly approached two women then threatened a man.
Kennedy admitted following and jumping out in front of a third woman on King’s Place on January 5 2023. The charge stated he shouted and “uttered alarming noises” while behaving in an aggressive manner. He was spotted again seven days later at the city’s AK Bell Library on York Place. There, he repeatedly stared at a woman and “adopted a menacing demeanour.”
The Crown accepted not guilty pleas to allegations of another incident outside the Bee Bar in November 2022, when he was said to have made “alarming remarks” towards a woman.
He was also cleared of making “sexually explicit” remarks to women at the pub in December that year.
The court was told Kennedy, of St Catherine’s Square, had a history of mental health issues.
Sheriff Paul Brown said he had little option but to pass a jail term.
Around the time of the incidents, photos of Kennedy were shared on local Facebook groups, alongside a warning: “He has been following women who work in the Bee Bar.
“Police are aware and claiming it is a mental health issue. This is just to make staff aware, be vigilant and be careful.”