Man preyed on 15-year-old girl

A man plied a 15-year-old girl with cannabis and alcohol then talked her into sex acts.

Stephen Hamilton preyed upon the youngster for more than 12 months – but broke-off the twisted relationship when she turned 16.

He was 35 at the time. Perth Sheriff Court heard the victim stayed silent for almost two decades before confiding in her partner in 2015.

Police launched a probe into the allegations against the divorced marketing manager, who was finally brought to court in December last year.

Hamilton, 58, of Forgandenny, admitted using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour on various occasions between September 1996 and September 1997.

Depute fiscal Tina Dickie said: “He engaged in inappropriate behaviour with her for several months.

“He would take her out in his motor vehicle and stop on rural roads. There were other meetings in a bed and breakfast and at the Dunblane Hydro Hotel.

“Over time they began to engage in more serious sexual acts. She was not forced but says she was never happy carrying out the acts.

“He would persuade her and also provided her with cannabis and alcohol. She was too frightened to tell him to stop.”

Sentence was deferred until November and Hamilton was placed on the sex offenders register.