A man sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl on an Aberdeen bus and made a series of disgusting comments towards three underage girls during the journey.
Christopher Barron, 36, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted making repeated lewd remarks to the girls.
All of them were only 12 years old at the time and were told by Barron they were “sexy” and that he would “destroy them”.
He then told the group of girls that they “wouldn’t be able to walk for weeks”.
Barron even sexually assaulted one of the 12-year-olds by slapping the girl’s bottom.
Fiscal depute Ryan Diamond told the court that, at around 14.45pm on August 13, the three girls arrived at a bus stop on Lang Stracht in Aberdeen bound for the city centre.
Barron was already at the bus stop and engaged the young girls in conversation.
“At the time the accused said to one of the girls, ‘I can’t wait until you get on top,’ and slapped her bottom with his hand,” Mr Diamond said.
“While on the number 23 bus the accused continued to make sexualised comments, stating that one of the girls was ‘sexy’ and that he would ‘destroy her’.”
‘Wouldn’t be able to walk for weeks’
Barron then made further sexual comments towards all three of the girls, by claiming he would “destroy them” all.
Finally, he turned to all the girls and said that they “wouldn’t be able to walk for weeks”.
The three girls got off the bus when they reached their stop in Aberdeen city centre and contacted the police.
Barron, who has a previous conviction for threatening behaviour, pleaded guilty to one charge of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl and a second charge of directing verbal communications at underage girls for the purposes of sexual gratification, causing distress or alarm.
The 36-year-old also admitted a further charge of breaching a condition not to approach his former partner.
‘Sought help for his issues’
Defence agent Michael Horsman told the court that his client was “under the influence” of drugs at the time of the offences.
He added: “What has been described was over a short period of time and was over a short bus journey.
“As far as Mr Barron was concerned, this was an isolated incident.
“He was under the influence at the time but he knows that does not excuse his conduct.
“Mr Barron has also sought help for his issues.”
‘Very serious matters’
Sheriff Karen Kirk told Barron: “The court understands you are ashamed of these matters, particularly the incident on August 13 2021.
“The court takes those matters very seriously and two of those offences relate to sexual offences.
“They are very serious and relate to young girls.”
Sheriff Kirk sentenced Barron to a community payback order with supervision for three years and ordered him to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
She also placed Barron, of School Avenue in Aberdeen, on the sex offender’s register for three years and put a one-year non-harassment order in place concerning the breach of bail charge.
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