Published: Wednesday, 19th March, 2008 10:00
No jail for pervert bus driver
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A SCHOOL bus driver who hounded a teenage pupil in an attempt to get her to meet him for sex has walked free from court.
Alexander Winter — who was employed by West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) — bombarded the 15-year-old with seedy text messages and phone calls in late 2006.
Married Winter claimed he loved her and asked her to wear skimpy clothes when she went to school.
The 46 year-old admitted to a breach of the peace in connection with the incidents when he appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court in January.
Sheriff Sam Cathcart said he did not “consider custody to be appropriate” as Winter returned to be sentenced last week.
The pervert was instead placed on three years probation and ordered to do 160 hours community service.
Winter was also placed on the sex offenders register for the next three years.
Sheriff Cathcart said a referral would be made to the Scottish ministers to prevent Winter working with children.
The court heard how Winter ferried children from Clydebank and other areas in West Dunbartonshire to and from the special school for girls in Glasgow.
He got the youngster’s telephone number from another pupil and began texting her.
Winter initially remained anonymous, but the schoolgirl eventually realised who it was during one phone call.
The driver then sent up to 10 texts a day later making more suggestive comments to the shocked youngster.
Willie MacKay, prosecuting, said: “The accused continued with these messages and began asking the complainer to wear short skirts and high heels to school.
“He would also phone her during her lunch break and late in the afternoon. The accused asked her to skip school to meet him.”
The girl eventually told her boyfriend about the messages after becoming terrified at a late-night text from Winter claiming that he was outside her home.
Her boyfriend encouraged her to tell a teacher at the school who then alerted police.
Winter quit his job with WDC just before a disciplinary hearing.
The court heard he is still working as a bus driver for a firm called Gibson Direct.
Paul Coyle, defending, said that Winter had often been drinking when he sent the messages.
The lawyer added that Winter told police he had been living a “pathetic Mickey Mouse life”.
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Further Details
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