Invergordon man on ScotRail train between Highland capital and Beauly sentenced at Inverness Sheriff Court for threatening behaviour
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An Easter Ross man lost his temper with a train conductor who thought she was being sexually assaulted by him on a journey between Inverness and Beauly earlier this year.
The allegation angered 55-year-old Andrew Urquhart of Kilmuir Place, Invergordon who claimed he was just trying to get back into his seat and was being blocked by the rail official.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Urquhart swore at her several times. He admitted threatening and abusive behaviour towards her.
Fiscal depute Shay Treanor told Sheriff Sara Matheson: "She was shocked by him placing his hands on her shoulders and moving down her arms and stepped back into a seating area.
"She said to him not to touch her but he said: 'you are in my f..ing seat' and swore at her several times.
"When he was asked to show his ticket, he emptied his pockets on the floor and said: 'find it yourself.' The conductor then radioed ahead to report the incident to the police.
"He got off the train at Beauly and was traced to a nearby pub and arrested." Mr Treanor added.
Defence solicitor Matthew Berlow told the court: "He has an alcohol problem but work is being done as he is on a community payback order.
"He is shocked by his behaviour. He got up from his seat and when he came back, he innocently put his hand on her shoulder to get past and she misinterpreted it.
"He was falsely accused of sexually assaulting her." Mr Berlow added.
Urquhart was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
