December 2009 Flasher who terrified girls at Powmill quarry put on Sex Offenders’ Register 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. And when they refused, Ewan Brand, of Barnhill Farm, Kinross, dropped his jeans and “flashed” at them. The incident led to his name being put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for three years at Perth Sheriff Court on Wednesday. He was also put on probation for three years, with a condition that he take part in the Tay Project which aims to rehabilitate sex offenders. In addition, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis ordered him to pay £250 each in compensation to the two pupils. “They were extremely distressed as a result of your behaviour,” the Sheriff told Brand. The court heard that one of the 17-year-old girls was “screaming hysterically” as she called her friend’s brother for help. Depute fiscal Janine Bates said 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, Powmill, at 2pm on June 7. On the path known locally as the Standing Stones, the accused 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 himself. 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 for assistance. He also tried to take the camera from them. As they fled, he shouted: “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you” – and then 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.” Solicitor Rosie Scott said Brand now “very much regretted” his actions and didn’t intend to harm the girls. The only reason he chased after them was to get the phone because he realised he had done something wrong. Brand admitted committing a breach of the peace and placing the girls in a state of fear and alarm.