A man appeared in court yesterday, accused of molesting a schoolgirl as she walked through a north-east town.
Dilanka Jayasinghelage made a brief appearance from custody at Banff Sheriff Court yesterday and denied behaving in a threatening and abusive manner which was likely to cause fear or alarm.
It is alleged the 26-year-old followed the youngster and repeatedly tried to start a conversation with her. He is accused of repeatedly asking for her phone number, placing a packet of cigarettes in her pocket and offering her more cigarettes if she agreed to meet up with him at a later date.
Jayasinghelage, whose address was listed on court papers as Fraserburgh Inshore Fishermen, 100 Shore Street, Fraserburgh, is further accused of touching her bottom above her clothes, placing his arm around her, placing a hand inside her top and touching her crotch, over her leggings.
It is alleged that he also tried to push her towards the beach.
Jayasinghelage denies the single charge and was released on bail. He is due to stand trial in August, with an intermediate hearing scheduled for next month.
Yesterday, police issued a plea for witnesses to the alleged incident.
Officers said a 14-year-old was approached by an older man at Macduff’s Skene Street in the early hours of Sunday. He allegedly followed her along Shore Street and Union Road, before being stopped by a passing police car near Banff Bridge.
Banff-based sergeant Bruce Crawford said last night: “This is a rare incident for Macduff and the wider Banff and Buchan area and as a result of inquiries, a 26-year-old male, who is not from the local area, has been charged.”
The teenager, who was said to be uninjured but shaken, was wearing a black body warmer, pink hooded top and black leggings.
Anyone with information has been urged to call police on 101 or freephone Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.