A man who groped two teenagers on a bus as it drove down Aberdeen’s main street may have been suffering from a personality disorder.
Matthew Connon was due to be sentenced at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday for carrying out two sex assaults on a 14-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl on January 9 this year.
But he will have to wait another month to learn his fate after his solicitor said he may have been suffering from a serious psychological disorder.
The court previously heard the youngsters and some friends were on the bus from Bridge of Don heading into the city centre when the attack happened at about 9.30pm.
When the bus stopped at the Castlegate, 53-year-old Connon got on the vehicle, which was nearly empty apart from the children who were sitting at the back.
Fiscal depute Alan Townsend said Connon walked directly towards them, and asked one of the children to move so he could sit down, despite the numerous empty seats.
He added: “During the bus journey along Union Street, the accused asked the others some questions about where they went to school, what they did in their spare time and where they lived.
“He then turned to the complainer and said ‘Are you gay? You are hot.'”
Mr Townsend said Connon then placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder and stroked his right leg half way down his thigh, before doing the same to the girl.
As the boy stood up to leave, Connon grabbed his bottom and the teen pushed him away.
The children reported the incident to the bus driver, who stopped at the Holburn junction and refused to let Connon leave until the police arrived.
Defence agent Gregor Kelly previously told the court his client was “highly intoxicated” on the night in question and stated it was the first time he had consumed alcohol in over a year.
He said Connon, of Flat B, 4 Park Road, Aberdeen, accepted that his conduct was “entirely wrong” and that the incident must have been “terribly concerning” for his young victims.
Mr Kelly said yesterday that background reports had been carried out in the last few months to prepare him for sentencing.
Although they were recommending a community pay back order be imposed, he said a further psychological report should be carried out as he had previously suffered from a personality disorder.
Sheriff Edward Savage deferred sentence again until May 27. Connon remains on the sex offenders’ register meantime.
