A hunt for a missing child led to her discovery under the bed of a 33-year-old paedophile who had lured her to his home to have sex with her.
Martin Reeves was jailed for 74 weeks today after he admitted sexually assaulting and injuring the 15-year-old girl by repeatedly having sex with her.
Reeves whinged that going to jail as a sex beast would damage his standing and said he was concerned that he would be shunned by his friends when he is released.
Sheriff William Wood told him: "This is a serious offence. You were a much older man and in a situation where this child was taken advantage of by you when she was vulnerable.
"You knew what age she was at the time. You knew how old she was because she told you. Only a custodial sentence is appropriate."
Solicitor David Holmes told Perth Sheriff Court that his client was an alcoholic who had been left traumatised by seeing his father choke to death two years ago.
The court heard how a hunt was launched for the vulnerable teenager after she went missing from the local authority unit she had been moved to for her own protection.
Reeve left the vulnerable 15-year-old girl with internal injuries after twice having sex with her despite knowing she was underage.
The court was told that the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been moved to the Perth area for her own safety.
But she met predatory paedophile Reeves during a visit to Perth city centre in October 2020 and he invited her back to his home when they met again in December.
Reeves initially refused to let police in when his home became central to the missing persons inquiry and he denied having any knowledge of the girl at first.
He eventually let officers into his home but continued to deny that she was present despite them pointing out her distinctive jacket lying on his sofa.
Officers searched the property and noticed a hand sticking out from beneath the bed and the girl told them it was where Reeves had told her to hide.
Reeves, South William Street, Perth, admitted engaging in sexual activity and having penetrative sex with a 15-year-old girl at his home on 15 and 16 December last year.
"The accused is 33 and is an alcoholic," fiscal depute Michael Sweeney told the court.
"He has 18 previous convictions and has been imprisoned on various occasions.
"She was a 'looked after child'. Her parental rights had moved to the local authority.
They met during one of her visits to Perth. The accused was made aware of her age.
"On 15 December she returned to the same area alone and without the authority being aware. She recognised the accused and reminded him who she was.
"They went to his home. The accused removed all of his clothing and her leggings. They had sex.
"The complainer felt pain and informed the accused who apologised. The accused did not wear a condom. She reminded him she was 15 which did not seem to worry him.
"They had sex again. At 4pm there was knocking at the door and the accused instructed her to hide under the bed, which she did. It was police investigating reports of her being missing.
"He denied the complainer was there but eventually let them in. One officer noticed a hand sticking out from beneath the bed. She was wearing pants and a hoodie."
Reeves shouted at the officers: "There's nothing wrong with a 16-year-old and a 33-year-old, you a********."
He denied being aware of her age.
Mr Holmes said: "He did express that he was sorry for the complainer and for what he had done. When he is released he will find it very difficult to live in the locality.
"Those he knows will be aware of his conviction. He feels he will be subject to remarks and measures which will make it difficult to readjust to living where he has been brought up.
"It is a consequence of his own actions, that is the reality. His judgment around that time was very much affected by the level of alcohol he was taking.
"He tragically witnessed the death of his father from a choking incident in his home about two years ago. It's fair to say he's not recovered from that."
