Peebles 36-year-old hit with £600 court bill for taking photos of girls without their consent

Adam Perry pleaded guilty to two counts of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in Peebles town centre on June 16 and June 17.

Fiona Hamilton, prosecuting, told Selkirk Sheriff Court that two girls, aged 16 and 17, became concerned after noticing a man following them and filming them or taking photographs, and they reported the matter to the police.

The next day, two other girls were walking along Tweed Green in Peebles and saw the accused sitting on a bench taking pictures of them too.

The depute fiscal added: “They felt he was taking images of them. They immediately contacted their grandparents, who contacted the police.

“The accused was traced and a search of his phone did show images of the witnesses.

“The accused was arrested and made no reply.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson said no sexual motive had been established for Perry’s behaviour but he warned him: “Whatever lies behind this has to be stopped.

“Let me make it clear this must not happen again.”

As well as being ordered to pay £400 compensation in total to the four girls, Perry, of Peebles, was fined £200, and 28 days was given to pay that fine.