A 36-year-old Perth man who groped a female less than half his age in a recently-opened restaurant was so drunk he couldn’t even remember being there.
The sexual assault was described by Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney as “fairly persistent and alarming” at Perth Sheriff Court this week.
And it led to Richard Rattray, of Firbank Road, being jailed for six months when he appeared for sentence.
He also had his name added to the sex offenders’ register for seven years.
He admitted that on March 1, 2019, at Broxden Farm, Lamberkine Drive, Perth, he repeatedly touched the 17-year-old, who can’t be named because of her age, on the body and bottom - and stroked her thighs.
Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney said that when cautioned and charged, Rattray, previously of Bowton Road, Kinross, told police: “I was steaming - I can’t even remember being in the place.”
Sentence had been deferred from last month for a background report to be obtained.
Solicitor Linda Clark said: “The report indicates he showed genuine remorse for the impact his behaviour might have had on the victim.
“It’s quite clear that alcohol was the main motivator. This offence took place when he was absolutely inebriated."
She accepted that wasn’t an excuse - his behaviour was “entirely inappropriate.”
And the lawyer pointed out Rattray was receiving alcohol treatment under a community payback order imposed on June 12 for a non-analagous matter.
“He has taken steps to reduce his alcohol intake and is addressing his difficulties.”
Her client was in full-time employment and, if jailed, that would be lost to him.
Sheriff O’Mahoney said he had to balance her submissions with the “alarm and fear” experienced by the victim.
Imposing the jail term, the sheriff added: “There is no alternative to a custodial disposal.”
