An East Kilbride man whose suggestive behaviour frightened two women has avoided being placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Scott McManus mimicked a sex act after asking the females if he could borrow a phone.
McManus, 38, of Mull, St Leonards, appeared from custody via videolink at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
At a hearing last month he admitted threatening or abusive behaviour in the presence of two females in Mull on August 10.
Mairi-Clare McMillan, prosecuting, said it was just after 9pm when McManus approached the women and asked to use a phone.
Ms McMillan told the court: “He was given a phone and he leaned against a wall.
“He licked his lips in a sexual manner that made both witnesses uncomfortable.
“McManus then grabbed his genitals and began to make groaning noises that put both witnesses in a state of fear and alarm.
“He also made comments of a sexual nature.”
Defence agent Andy Thomson said McManus has a “significant mental health issue”, adding: “His behaviour was unacceptable, but these were the ravings of a drug addict who was clearly not well.
“This was not done for sexual gratification.”
Sheriff Douglas Brown accepted there was no significant sexual element to the offence and that meant McManus was not put on the sex offenders’ register.
McManus also admitted a series of charges involving his ex-partner Kerry Cliffe and her mother, Janette.
These included threatening or abusive behaviour at their home in Grantoften Path, East Kilbride, and throwing a can of beer over Janette Cliffe.
He also admitted breaching bail orders to keep away from Kerry Cliffe, sending her numerous texts and engaging in a course of conduct that caused her fear and alarm.
The court heard that McManus turned up repeatedly at Ms Cliffe’s home between March 31 and May 30 last year.
On one occasion when police arrested him for breaching bail conditions, he was found to have a lock knife in his boxing shorts.
Mr Thomson described the relationship between McManus and Ms Cliffe as “toxic” and said she had been charged with offences against him.
McManus had been in prison since his arrest in August, but Sheriff Brown agreed to have him assessed for a possible drug treatment and testing order and released him on bail.
The sheriff said: “You have been in custody for quite a while and there is nothing to lose by having you assessed.”
The case was continued until February 26.
