A man who twice had sex with a 15-year-old schoolgirl at a city centre flat was jailed for 74 weeks at Perth Sheriff Court on Friday afternoon.
Thirty-three-year-old Martin Reeves, described as an alcoholic, will serve the sentence consecutive to a seven-month prison term imposed for stealing a handbag by grabbing it off a woman’s shoulder.
His name has already been added to the Sex Offenders’ Register.
Passing sentence, Sheriff William Wood told him: “This is a serious matter.
“You were a much older man and were in a situation where this child, in effect, was taken advantage of when she was a vulnerable individual.
“You knew how old she was - you’re shaking your head - but she told you when you first met.
“Only a custodial sentence is going to be appropriate.
“The fact that you were drunk at the time is, as far as I am concerned, an aggravation.
“Any suggestion it is, in some way, an excuse is far wide of the mark.”
Reeves admitted at an earlier court that he engaged in sexual activity with the teenager at a house in Perth’s South Street between December 15 and 16, 2020.
He was on bail from Dundee Sheriff Court at the time and subject to appear on an undertaking at the Perth court on January 7, 2021.
Sentence had been deferred for a background report and an assessment from the Tay Project which aims to rehabilitate sex offenders.
The court was told previously that the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been moved to the area “for her safety”, explained depute fiscal Michael Sweeney.
But she met up with Reeves during a visit to Perth, when he was “made aware” of her age - and they later had sex in the flat.
When police knocked on his door, he instructed the teen to hide under the bed.
Initially he refused to open up and shouted at officers: “Come back with a warrant.”
He eventually appeared, wearing only a jumper and boxer shorts, but claimed she had left after being there earlier.
But one of the constables saw a hand sticking out of the bed and the youngster, wearing little clothing, was discovered.
On leaving the property, Mr Sweeney said Reeves shouted at police: “There’s nothing wrong with a 16-year-old and a 33-year-old, you a***holes.”
When interviewed, Reeves did not “accept” he had been aware of the complainer’s age at the time of the offence.
Solicitor David Holmes said his client, who is currently serving a sentence at Perth Prison, said he wanted to resolve matters to spare the girl having to attend court.
Reeves had been given the seven-month sentence for grabbing the female and taking her bag on March 24.
Reeves admitted 18 previous convictions, dating back to 2004.
