A creep who took a young girl on drives in his car where he would “passionately” kiss her and bought her cigarettes and alcohol has avoided a jail sentence.
Twisted Peter McLeod admitted he took engaged in “sexual activity” with the youngster between March 2016 and March 2018, at various locations including in Bridge of Weir and Neilston.
The 39-year-old beast declared his love to the girl who was aged 14 to 15 years old during his campaign of abuse.
On one occasion when the young girl stated a male was attractive, he violently stuffed a burger into her face.
The procurator fiscal depute told Paisley Sheriff Court McLeod was a family friend of the girl’s mother and had been for a “number of years”.
She explained: “Around the girl’s 15th birthday, she informed her mum that the accused was nice looking and he was made aware of this.
“Around two to three weeks later, the accused added the girl on Snapchat.
“The accused and the girl then went on drives in his car in and around the Neilston area.
“During these drives he passionately kissed her.
“On an unknown date prior to the girl’s 16th birthday, she and friends were within the home of a friend in Bridge of Weir and at this time, the accused attended and supplied alcohol to them.
“He also provided cigarettes.
“Around March 2016, the girl and a family member were in the accused’s car with him driving when the girl commented that a male known to them was good looking.
“Upon hearing this, he violently pulled the car to a halt and assaulted her by forcibly stuffing a burger into her face.”
Court then heard how McLeod’s partner confronted the girl in September 2017.
The depute explained that his partner presented the girl with a mobile phone, revealing the messages she had shared with the accused. The girl disclosed MacLeod had kissed her.
She said: “On June 23, 2022, the girl and her gran attended at the police station and reported the offences.
“On December 5, 2022, the accused was traced at Addiewell prison and arrested.
“Police later reviewed the messages which show the accused stating to the girl, ‘I just fell for you and I love you unconditionally.’
“He made no response to caution and charge.”
Defence agent Ms Shearer told the court McLeod has “quite a number of previous convictions” which are “directly linked to his drug misuse”.
Ms Shearer added: “He suffered an assault at the age of 15 and in relation to this case, he was seriously assaulted, he was stabbed outside the court building after an earlier court hearing.
“He has struggled mentally since it happened.
“He understands the wrongfulness of his behaviour and he is ashamed and embarrassed.
“He is well aware the court could be considering a custodial sentence and that terrifies him.”
Sheriff Brian Mohan slammed McLeod stating: “This is a case which does pass he custody threshold.
“You were in your thirties and she was 14 and that’s what makes this completely inappropriate.
“The most important matter is you normalised and took advantage of a young girl.
“What your record shows is you stick two fingers up to court orders.
“However, what I do recognise is this behaviour arose some years ago, it’s not part of your record of previous convictions and you have a history of drug use.
“I am prepared to impose a sentence which is not custody. You have paid for your behaviour as there’s been somewhat of a community reaction towards you and you are aware of that.”
Sheriff Mohan ordered McLeod, of Kennishead Avenue in Glasgow under supervision of the social work department for two years.
In addition, he was ordered to carry out the Moving Forward Making Changes programme – a course which has been designed for men who commit sexual offences and are assessed as presenting a medium or high risk of re-offending.
McLeod was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and made subject to a five-year non-harassment order which prevents him from contacting or approaching the young woman.
A review hearing was assigned for January 9, 2025.
Don’t miss the latestRenfrewshire headlines –sign up to our free daily newsletter here