GORDON SAWERS ARRESTED IN ARDROSSAN FOR SEXUAL THREATS AND INDECENT BEHAVIOR ON BUS

A man with a troubling history of offending has been sentenced to prison after a series of disturbing incidents involving schoolgirls on a bus traveling between Kilmarnock and Ardrossan. Gordon Sawers, aged 46, admitted to making vile threats and performing a sex act in front of young girls, claiming his actions were merely 'banter' to justify his behavior.

On February 25, police stopped a Stagecoach bus in Kilwinning, where Sawers was a passenger. He faced multiple charges, including communicating indecently with teenage girls, causing a youth to hear sexual communications, threatening her with sexual violence, and public indecency. These events took place around 4 pm during the bus journey, as detailed by procurator fiscal depute Fraser Alexander during the court proceedings.

According to the court, the incident unfolded when a group of girls boarded the bus and sat near Sawers, who was seated in the rear upstairs section. He initiated conversation with the girls, which quickly devolved into explicit sexual talk. Mr. Alexander emphasized that Sawers was the sole person making sexual references during this exchange.

The prosecutor outlined specific remarks made by Sawers, who is currently detained at HMP Kilmarnock. He told two of the girls, 'I will take you to my house and s**g you,' and added, 'I will inject you with heroin,' before threatening to 'get with your maw.'

Further disturbing comments were directed at the youngest girl in the group, with Sawers stating his intention to perform a sexual act on her and explicitly warning, 'I’m going to rape and stab yous and that.' The court heard that Sawers then performed a sex act on himself in front of the young girls, causing them to become visibly distressed and upset.

It was at this point that another passenger on the bus noticed Sawers' inappropriate conduct and alerted the driver. Police were called immediately, and the bus was stopped on Pennyburn Road. Officers arrived promptly, identified Sawers, and took him into custody. He was transported to Saltcoats police station, where he was cautioned and charged but did not respond to the charges.

During the sentencing hearing held on January 13, Sawers' solicitor, Sandy Currie, attempted to justify his client's actions by describing them as 'banter.' He explained that Sawers was experiencing a chaotic lifestyle, including drug use, which contributed to his behavior. Currie admitted that Sawers had little recollection of what he said or did during the incident.

However, Sheriff Nicola Patrick was clear in her judgment, stating, 'He appears to have deliberately targeted the young girls. Because of the seriousness of these crimes, a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal.'

As a result, Sawers was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by an additional two years on license after his release. This extended license means that any further offending would lead to immediate re-imprisonment. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely due to the severity of his crimes. The court also sentenced him to one year in jail for other charges, which will run concurrently with his primary sentence.