A supermarket worker has admitted touching a woman’s bum three times during a “distressing” assault at a Blairgowrie pub.
Sean Thomson repeatedly laid his hands on the woman before he was spotted and challenged by one of her friends.
The 24-year-old was originally charged with sexual assault following the incident at the Cartwheel Inn, Wellmeadow on September 18 last year.
He spent a night in the cells and took part in an identity parade.
He appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted a reduced charge of assaulting the woman by repeatedly touching her buttocks.
The attack was described by Thomson’s solicitor as “boorish behaviour.”
Caught on camera
Fiscal depute David Currie told the court: “At about 8pm, the complainer was with friends at the public house.
“The accused was also there, seated at a booth in the middle of the bar.
“Drink had been consumed throughout the evening.”
Mr Currie said: “At about 11pm, the complainer was saying goodbye to her friends.
“She bent over to cuddle a member of her party.
“As she did this, she felt someone touch her buttocks.”
The woman tried to ignore this, said the fiscal depute, but then it happened again.
“She became aware that the accused was sitting directly behind her.
“He was the only person who could have done it.”
When store team leader Thomson touched her a third time, it was witnessed by one of the woman’s pals.
“She challenged the accused about his behaviour.
“The complainer was upset by the circumstances she found herself in.
“The matter was reported to the police.”
The assault was caught on CCTV, the court heard.
Assault was ‘boorish’
Prosecutors accepted there was no significant sexual element to the assault.
Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said: “This was boorish behaviour, rather than anything else.
“It wasn’t down to anything sexual, he was just trying to get her attention.”
Mr Ralph said: “As a result of this, Mr Thomson has spent time in custody and has also had take part in a VIPER ID parade.”
Sheriff Charles Lugton told Thomson: “As your solicitor has said this was clearly boorish behaviour and it would have been distressing for the complainer.
“I am prepared to proceed on the basis that this was an isolated incident.”
Thomson, of New Alyth, was fined £540.
