A recent court proceeding at Perth Sheriff Court has seen a local man added to the sex offenders register after he admitted to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old hospitality worker. The incident, which occurred at a restaurant in the picturesque Perthshire area, has sent ripples of concern through the local community, highlighting the vulnerability of young people in the workplace.
Wayne Cochrane, 41, stood before the court to face charges relating to the assault, which took place while the young waiter was taking a food order at his table. The court heard how Cochrane made an inappropriate physical advance, squeezing the teenager’s buttocks. This act left the young employee deeply shocked, confused, and profoundly uncomfortable, struggling to process what had just happened. The Incident Unfolds
The distressing event occurred around 7pm on June 6, when the teenager, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was serving Cochrane and his dining companions. Court testimony revealed that Cochrane’s group had been at the establishment for some time, with several empty glasses visible on their table. As the young man leaned in to take the order, Cochrane’s left hand was placed on the victim’s right buttock, followed by a squeezing motion before being removed. The immediacy and unexpected nature of the contact left the teenager unsure how to react, his primary instinct being to quickly distance himself from the situation. Immediate Aftermath and Evidence
Approximately an hour after the assault, a woman believed to be Cochrane’s partner, approached the restaurant’s assistant manager, expressing concern and stating, “Make sure your young lad is alright.” When pressed for details, she disclosed that Cochrane had “grabbed the bum” of the employee. This alarming revelation prompted the assistant manager to check on the young waiter, who then confirmed the unwelcome encounter. The restaurant’s CCTV footage was subsequently reviewed, clearly corroborating the victim’s account and showing Cochrane’s actions unequivocally.
The victim’s mother was promptly informed of the incident, and local police were contacted to investigate. Later the same evening, Cochrane contacted the restaurant owner via text message to offer an apology, attempting to downplay the incident by stating he was “only having a laugh.” Early the next morning, he extended a similar apology to the teenager’s mother through Facebook. The Defendant’s Stance and Legal Outcome
When police attended Cochrane’s home the following day, he was not present, but he later cooperated by presenting himself at divisional headquarters in Dundee. During questioning, Cochrane expressed remorse, telling officers: “I’m so sorry. It wasn’t like that at all. There was no intention to do that at all, I’m sorry that it happened.”
His defence solicitor, David Holmes, presented a statement from Cochrane’s partner, who described him as “a bit of a joker” and suggested he did not perceive his actions as sexual, believing the waiter to be over 18 at the time. This perspective, however, did not alter the court’s determination of the severity of the offence.
Sheriff Alison McKay, presiding over the case, deferred sentencing to allow for comprehensive background reports to be prepared. Importantly, Wayne Cochrane, a resident of Scone, has been officially placed on the sex offenders register. The duration of his registration will be decided upon his return to court for sentencing. This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of creating safe environments for all employees, especially young individuals entering the workforce within Perth and Kinross’s vibrant hospitality sector.
Wayne Cochrane, 41, stood before the court to face charges relating to the assault, which took place while the young waiter was taking a food order at his table. The court heard how Cochrane made an inappropriate physical advance, squeezing the teenager’s buttocks. This act left the young employee deeply shocked, confused, and profoundly uncomfortable, struggling to process what had just happened. The Incident Unfolds
The distressing event occurred around 7pm on June 6, when the teenager, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was serving Cochrane and his dining companions. Court testimony revealed that Cochrane’s group had been at the establishment for some time, with several empty glasses visible on their table. As the young man leaned in to take the order, Cochrane’s left hand was placed on the victim’s right buttock, followed by a squeezing motion before being removed. The immediacy and unexpected nature of the contact left the teenager unsure how to react, his primary instinct being to quickly distance himself from the situation. Immediate Aftermath and Evidence
Approximately an hour after the assault, a woman believed to be Cochrane’s partner, approached the restaurant’s assistant manager, expressing concern and stating, “Make sure your young lad is alright.” When pressed for details, she disclosed that Cochrane had “grabbed the bum” of the employee. This alarming revelation prompted the assistant manager to check on the young waiter, who then confirmed the unwelcome encounter. The restaurant’s CCTV footage was subsequently reviewed, clearly corroborating the victim’s account and showing Cochrane’s actions unequivocally.
The victim’s mother was promptly informed of the incident, and local police were contacted to investigate. Later the same evening, Cochrane contacted the restaurant owner via text message to offer an apology, attempting to downplay the incident by stating he was “only having a laugh.” Early the next morning, he extended a similar apology to the teenager’s mother through Facebook. The Defendant’s Stance and Legal Outcome
When police attended Cochrane’s home the following day, he was not present, but he later cooperated by presenting himself at divisional headquarters in Dundee. During questioning, Cochrane expressed remorse, telling officers: “I’m so sorry. It wasn’t like that at all. There was no intention to do that at all, I’m sorry that it happened.”
His defence solicitor, David Holmes, presented a statement from Cochrane’s partner, who described him as “a bit of a joker” and suggested he did not perceive his actions as sexual, believing the waiter to be over 18 at the time. This perspective, however, did not alter the court’s determination of the severity of the offence.
Sheriff Alison McKay, presiding over the case, deferred sentencing to allow for comprehensive background reports to be prepared. Importantly, Wayne Cochrane, a resident of Scone, has been officially placed on the sex offenders register. The duration of his registration will be decided upon his return to court for sentencing. This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of creating safe environments for all employees, especially young individuals entering the workforce within Perth and Kinross’s vibrant hospitality sector.