A man who simulated a sex act with a train drinks trolley after demanding a kiss from the woman operating it has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.
Perth Sheriff Court heard that Andrew Davidson was under the influence of a cocktail of drink and drugs when the incident occurred on July 5.
The court was told Davidson turned his attention to the cart, shouting: “I want to kiss you” at it, after the rail service employee was scared off by his behaviour.
After Davidson tried to kiss her, she left the trolley to report him to a conductor.
The 25-year-old was later found face-down on the floor of the train when it arrived in Perth.
Depute fiscal JimEodanable said: “The complainer is the hospitality person, who serves drinks and snacks from a trolley.
“The accused had previously asked to purchase a can of beer from her but had been told she had run out. He approached again and tried to engage her in conversation.
“Just before the train arrived in Dundee, travelling towards Perth, the accused spoke to the complainer and asked for a drink. The trolley had run out of alcoholic beverages and the complainer formed the view that the accused was drunk.
“The accused said to the complainer: ‘May I kiss you?’ and she said no.
“As the train entered Dundee and passengers were getting off at this point, the accused placed his hand on anotherwoman’s arm and she shrugged it off.”
Mr Eodanable said the staff member had moved to one side to allow passengers to get off the train but that Davidson had tried to grab her again.
He said: “She thought he was about to attempt to kiss her and she struggled to break free from what she perceived to be a kiss.”
After the woman broke free and fled, Davidson attempted to sit in the lap of another traveller but fell to the flooruttering a string of expletives.
Mr Eodanable continued: “He wasrubbing his chest, sticking his tongue out and shouting about what he wanted to do to his boyfriend.
“He then approached the unattendedtrolley and started rubbing himself against the trolley, saying: ‘I want to kiss you’ etc.
“The train continued to Perth where the accused was found on the floor of thecarriage, lying face down.”
Solicitor Grant Bruce, defending, said Davidson’s behaviour was sparked by a legal high.
He said: “He has no recollection of what happened on the train at all but accepts that witnesses say he behaved in this manner.
“He was completely intoxicated byalcohol and legal highs. He has nowcurtailed his social life to a great degree as a result of this incident.
“It is something that has never happened before and is unlikely to ever happen again.”
Davidson, of West Hemming Street, Letham, Angus, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by grabbing the woman’s arm and trying to kiss her, shouting and swearing and making sexually offensive remarks and gestures.
Sheriff William Wood placed Davidson on a supervision order for six months and ordered him to carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work.
He escaped being placed on the sex offenders register after Sheriff Wood considered a report that stated the sexual element of the crime was not significant.