A drunk pest who sexually assaulted a teenage girl and followed her onto a bus has been given a Community Payback Order.

John Docherty, of Irvine’s Dickson Drive, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week for sentencing, having previously pled guilty to a charge of sexual assault.

Docherty, 63, put his arms around the teen at a bus stop in Stevenston after she refused his sexual advances.

He then tried to prevent her from boarding a number 11 Stagecoach bus.

The 17-year-old escaped Docherty’s clutches, but he pursued her onto the bus and continued to harass her.

He sat beside the girl, trapping her in against the window, tried to kiss her hand during the journey and got in her way when she made to get off the bus.

When the girl exited the bus, Docherty got off too and continued to pursue her.

The teenager fled to a nearby friend’s house and the police were contacted.

Docherty had previously appeared at court in March and admitted to sexually assaulting the teen.

Sentence had been deferred for social work reports and the 63-year-old had been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register in the meantime.

Docherty returned to the dock on April 26 to hear his fate.

Defending Docherty, solicitor Douglas McPhee said: “His position is that he had been under the influence of alcohol on the date concerned, but that’s not an excuse.

“It’s been a wake-up call. He is 63 years of age and he realises if he doesn’t stop drinking it will affect his health and possibly his liberty.”

Sheriff Michael Hanlon warned: “If there’s any further offending of this nature he will find himself in very serious trouble.”

Docherty was sentenced to a Community Payback Order with supervision for 18 months and a Non-Harassment Order.

The 63-year-old was also placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for 18 months.