October 2016 Pervert (45) groomed schoolgirl AN Ardrossan man is awaiting sentence after being caught grooming a 15-year-old girl. David Young, of Clyde Terrace, met with and kissed the girl several times between May 22 and June 12 this year. The 45-year-old proclaimed his love for her after years of being in the same North Ayrshire martial arts club. Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard last week how the pair have known each other for three years. On May 22, a conversation began between them on WhatsApp where Young made reference to someone having a crush on her. Young revealed he had a crush on the girl to which she responded that she loved him too. They continued to exchange messages repeating the same and met up upon the girl’s study leave beginning. Both met outside The Salt Cot pub and on that occasion she kissed him on the mouth. They met again after that and walked along the beach between Aldi, The Braes, Saltcoats to Ardrossan Castle. Young asked her if she’d be his girlfriend and she said yes. The pair hugged and kissed but only on the cheek as other people were present. Thereafter, they went to Cannon Hill and sat down on a bench and kissed. Both Young and the girl met up on several occasions after this where Young touched her on the bottom with her permission. But on June 12, the girl left her phone and her mother saw a sexually inappropriate message from ‘David’. The girl eventually burst into tears and confessed that she and Young were in a relationship. At court last week, Young pleaded guilty to the charges. Presiding Sheriff Alistair Watson said: “You’re a 45-year-old man. You know better and now you’ll have to take responsibility for your disgraceful behaviour towards this child because that’s what she was – a child.” Sentence was deferred on Young until November for reports and he was placed on the Sex Offender’s Register.