A SALTCOATS man has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register after leaving a female conductor terrified on a train.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard last week that Brian Cowan, 48, was returning from a darts competition in Glengarnock with friends on April 5 last year when the conductor asked for his ticket. A drunk Cowan, of Sharphill Road, quickly showed her his ticket, but then pulled it away. He then made a gesture which indicated he was about to unbutton his trousers and pull the conductor’s head down towards his crotch in a sexual manner. The court heard that the conductor was very upset as a result and returned to the cab of the train and called the police. When Cowan was traced for the offence he said that he understood the charge, that he was remorseful and he was concerned for the trauma he had caused. Graeme Cunningham, defending Cowan, said that he understood that Sheriff McFarlane would likely be calling for reports and he believed that the case could be agreed at the Intermediate Diet stage. He revealed there were no witnesses present in court and the victim wasn’t there either. Mr Cunningham told the court: “He never denied the charge but the intention was the issue. I had to view CCTV to get the whole picture.” He said his client had no record and was currently on bail. Mr Cunningham said that Cowan had far too much to drink and that, for some reason or another, he did what he did. He said: “His position in relation to the remorse is the same as it was and upmost in his mind was the victim.” Sheriff McFarlane called for a Social Work report and placed Cowan on the Sex Offenders Register in the meantime. He will be sentenced on October 27.