Girls terrified by flasher in Powmill quarry

Nov 6 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A TRIP to a local quarry turned to terror for two schoolgirls when they were confronted by a 49-year-old man who asked them to photograph him naked, writes Les Stewart.

When they refused, Ewan Brand, of Barnhill Farm, Kinross, dropped his jeans and exposed himself.

The two terrified 17-year-olds ran off and the police were alerted.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that one of the girls was “screaming hysterically” as she called her friend’s brother for help.

Depute fiscal Janine Bates said that the two girls were in their Sixth Year at school and one was hoping to do a photographic course at university.

As part of the entrance requirements, she had to complete a portfolio of images.

The pair went to the Devonshaw Quarry at Powmill, at 2pm on June 7.

On the path known locally as the Standing Stones, he asked that a photograph be taken of him and when they refused he became more aggressive.

They eventually took one but he then wanted a picture taken of him naked. They refused and walked away.

But Brand followed them, undid his belt and shouted: ‘How about this then?’

“One of the girls turned round to see the accused had removed his trousers down to his knees and was exposing his flaccid penis.”

The girls turned and ran but one of them lost her shoe and the accused caught up with them.

Brand tried to grab the mobile from the girl who had called her friend’s brother for assistance

The court heard that the accused tried to grab the mobile and the camera from the girls.

As they fled, he shouted: “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you” – then he turned and walked back into the quarry.

The film was later developed and the accused was identified as someone who had been seen in the area earlier. He was later traced.

When interviewed by police, he described his actions as “Stupidity. Total stupidity.”

When asked to describe the clothing worn by the girls, he added: “They were wearing next to nothing.”

He denied that his actions had been sexually motivated.

Solicitor Rosie Scott said Brand now “very much regrets” his actions and didn’t intend to harm them.

The only reason he chased after them was to get the phone because he realised he had done something wrong.

His picture was on the camera and it wouldn’t have been difficult to trace him.

Brand admitted committing a breach of the peace and placing the girls in a state of fear and alarm.

He will be sentenced on December 16 after background reports have been prepared.