A man who danced beside one of Scotland’s busiest roads with his trousers round his ankles in a horrifying morning incident has been jailed and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
Gavin Ross also spat at a passing car on the A90 dual carriageway between Dundee and Forfar in February, three years after dodging jail for throwing a brick and bottle at vehicles on the same route.
Ross, of Dalziel Place, Inveraldie, Tealing, appeared from custody at Forfar Sheriff Court on Thursday having previously admitted exposing his genitals to three people on the route on February 23.
He had also pled guilty to two charges of breaching the peace at his home in April 2018 and February this year.
Depute fiscal Laura McGillvery said the A90 offence happened at 9.50am when witnesses travelling in their car noticed a male at the side of the road and could see he had his trousers and pants down.
“He had both hands in the air, waving at oncoming vehicles,” the fiscal added.
Around five minutes later, Ross was spotted by the occupants of another vehicle, still half-naked.
“As they got closer, they saw him give a thumbs up gesture and as they passed they saw the accused lunge and spit, but it did not make contact with the vehicle.”
Defence solicitor Nick Markowski told the court alcohol was the common factor in the 38-year-old’s offending.
He said Ross had been involved in a serious road accident involving a truck in 1999, which left him with a significant head injury.
“He has not been the same person since then, but did not come to the attention of the authorities until around 2016,” added Mr Markowski.
“A specialist report was ordered, but my client’s difficulties seem to revolve around his lifestyle choices.
“He takes a muscle relaxant and the medical advice is that you avoid any type of alcohol. Sometimes, when he receives his benefit payments, he binge drinks.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray told Ross: “You suffered what can only have been a life-changing injury in 1999 and that may or may not be the root cause of your abuse of alcohol. However, alcohol is no excuse.
“I must take into account the concerning fact that at least three offences now have taken place in relation to the A90. It is a very busy road and one of your previous offences was acting dangerously on it.
“It now seems you have taken matters further and that you exposed yourself sexually.
“There is no scope, in my view, for anything other than a custodial sentence to provide protection to the public and your neighbours,” said the sheriff.
Ross was jailed for a total of 14 months and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years.
