A drunken Comrie man left a 15-year-old girl terrified and in tears after repeatedly offering her money for sex.
Norman Hinks repeatedly and loudly propositioned his young victim, promising her “a night of passion” as she took a bus home in September.
Numerous bus passengers attempted to intervene, telling him “Leave her alone, she’s just a bairn” and “Stop it. You’re being a paedo”.
They failed to halt his advances, however, as the 58-year-old continued to plague her with alarming and inappropriate sexual pleas that became louder and more insistent as the journey wore on.
The girl’s ordeal only ended when the bus reached her stop and she was able to run to the safety of her parents’ home, where they immediately called the police.
Hinks has claimed to have no recollection of the night’s events, but has nonetheless pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in the New Year.
He has already been placed on the sex offenders register and a sheriff has also sought an assessment of the risk he poses to women – and to lone girls in particular.
Perth Sheriff Court heard witnesses who saw Hinks on the night of September 2 had instantly formed the opinion that he was heavily under the influence of alcohol.
He stumbled onto a Stagecoach bus just behind his victim who was returning home after a day spent with her boyfriend.
Hinks targeted the girl almost immediately, asking her “Why is such a beautiful young girl all alone?” and “Why does she not have a boyfriend?”.
Depute Fiscal Tina Dickie said: “She felt uncomfortable but smiled politely and then put her earphones in.
“Her phone was out of battery but she hoped it would be enough to stop the accused from speaking to her.”
Sadly for the youngster, her ploy did not have the desired effect as Hinks told her “If I give you £100 will you have sex with me”.
When he was challenged by passengers about his behaviour, he began to declare even more loudly: “If she wants a night of pleasure, I can pay her”.
As the burly Hicks loomed over the girl in her seat, witnesses surrounded him to demand he stop, only for him to begin shouting at her and repeatedly asking her to carry out sexual acts upon him.
The depute fiscal added: “He kept on suggesting that he would pay her for a night of pleasure.
“She was obviously hugely alarmed.
“She got off the bus at her stop and burst into tears when she got home.”
The police were subsequently called and the court heard numerous bus passengers had been happy to provide officers with statements detailing the accused’s behaviour.
Hinks, of Dalginross, Comrie, admitted intentionally directing sexual communication towards a 15-year-old girl, repeatedly offering her money for sex and making inappropriate sexual remarks towards her, to her fear and alarm.
He will return to court on February 1.
