JOHN DOCHERTY FROM IRVINE ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT IN STEVENSTON AND IRVINE

In May 2018, a disturbing incident involving a 63-year-old man named John Docherty from Irvine unfolded in the town of Stevenston, leading to a court appearance in Kilmarnock. Docherty was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl and subsequently following her onto a bus, actions that drew significant concern and legal scrutiny.

The incident began at a bus stop in Stevenston, where Docherty, reportedly intoxicated, approached the 17-year-old girl and made unwanted sexual advances. Despite her clear refusal, Docherty placed his arms around her in an inappropriate manner. When she attempted to board a Stagecoach bus, specifically the number 11, Docherty tried to prevent her from doing so, creating a tense and threatening situation.

Although the teenager managed to break free from Docherty’s grasp, he did not desist. Instead, he pursued her onto the bus, where he continued his harassment. Witnesses reported that Docherty sat beside her, effectively trapping her against the window. During the journey, he attempted to kiss her hand and made further attempts to intimidate her when she tried to disembark. As the girl exited the bus, Docherty also disembarked and continued to follow her, prompting her to seek refuge at a nearby friend’s house. The girl’s quick action led her to contact the police, who responded promptly to the scene.

Docherty’s legal history related to this matter was already in motion. He had previously appeared in court in March, where he admitted to sexually assaulting the teenage girl. At that time, the court deferred sentencing to allow for social work reports, and Docherty was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register as a precaution. His case was revisited on April 26, when Sheriff Michael Hanlon presided over the proceedings. During the hearing, the sheriff issued a stern warning, stating, “If there’s any further offending of this nature he will find himself in very serious trouble.”

Ultimately, Docherty was sentenced to a Community Payback Order, which includes supervision for a period of 18 months. Additionally, he was issued a Non-Harassment Order to prevent any future contact with the victim. As part of his sentence, Docherty was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 18 months, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the court’s concern for public safety.