A shamed grandad who drunkenly groped a woman at a music festival was stunned to learn that his name will be on the sex offenders register for the next five years.
Peter Brown, 47, from Blairgowrie, assaulted the woman and made inappropriate gestures towards another while heavily under the influence of alcohol.
The incidents took place while he attended the Rewind Festival, in the grounds of Scone Palace, on July 21 last year.
He first sexually assaulted a 50-year-old woman, by groping her thigh at the event, before behaving in an abusive manner towards a 52-year-old woman by repeatedly flicking his tongue at her in an inappropriate way.
Witnesses also reported that he behaved in an aggressive manner towards the two women and he soon found himself apprehended by police.
Perth Sheriff Court was told that it was clear to others at the festival that Brown had consumed a considerable quantity of drink.
He had needed medical treatment at the event, having consumed so much alcohol that fellow revellers and security staff alike became concerned for his safety.
He had to be assisted to the event’s medical tent so that he could be assessed to see if there was anything seriously wrong with him.
His solicitor told the court on Wednesday: “This incident was totally out of character for Mr Brown and, though serious, I think that it can be treated as a one-off.
“He understands what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate behaviour towards women.”
She pleaded with the court to sentence her client to a six-month community payback order as doing so would restrict the period he would spend on the sex offenders register.
“Mr Brown has lost two stone in weight as a result of his anxiety over this case,” she said. “He is aware of the grave stigma that the statutory registration will leave.
“He will have the public status of ‘sex offender’ and will find numerous onerous restrictions placed upon his life.”
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said his main consideration was ensuring that the sentence he imposed was the most appropriate for the offence.
He fined Brown £1,000 for his day of shame, which he will pay to the court at a rate of £25 per week.
The sentence carries with it an automatice statutory period of five years on the register.
Sheriff Foulis told Brown: “Someone in his middle age might be expected to know when he has taken enough alcohol and might be expected to behave in a responsible manner.”
“I consider it appropriate to make it clear to you and others that this behaviour is totally unsuitable.”