A train-travelling “happy snapper” who took 29 pictures of a young girl with a facial tic he found “amusing” has been fined.
David Peace was arrested for taking mobile phone snaps of a 12-year-old at Montrose train station last year.
A court heard the 48-year-old was prone to photographing “random” people as he travelled around the UK on business.
But police swooped on Peace at journey’s end after a fellow passenger was alarmed by his actions.
He appeared at Forfar on a breach of the peace charge, where his defence agent said he was trying to capture the girl’s tic.
The girl was not traced by police and it was believed she did not realise she was being photographed.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said: “The accused was taking pictures on the train on his mobile phone.
“A witness noticed there was an image of a young girl on his mobile phone screen.
“They saw the young girl sat across the aisle from the accused.
“Police officers were on foot patrol and attended at Aberdeen station and the accused was identified to them.”
The depute fiscal continued: “He said the girl in the picture had a tic which he found amusing at the time.”
When police examined the phone they found 141 pictures of people in and around trains.
First offender Peace, of Whitefield, Manchester admitted causing a breach of the peace on October 22 at Montrose train station, on the Glasgow to Aberdeen rail line. Sheriff Gregor Murray fined Peace £450.