A child who had been playing within the grounds of a primary school ran away in fear after a pensioner repeatedly gestured for her to “come here”.

Stuart Clark, 68, of Glasgow’s Southside, was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court recently after pleading guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on various occasions between May 1 and 17, 2024.

The court heard that a young girl had been within the school grounds playing with friends at around 3pm on May 6 when she noticed a man (Clark) staring at her from the window of a nearby flat.

He made a threatening gesture with his right hand out of the window which the child understood to mean “come here”.

She looked away as she was confused by this and when she looked up again Clark was still watching.

The youngster then left with her friends as she was uncomfortable.

On May 10 the same girl was playing outside with a friend after school when she saw Clark at the window again.

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He made a motion as if to beckon her to come to his flat but she continued playing.

The youngster felt uncomfortable and went to play elsewhere.

On May 12 the child was within the school grounds during the afternoon when she noticed Clark in the window and saw him use the same gesture again.

As this was the third time she felt concerned and ran to a nearby park.

Later the same day the child went into the street next to the school as she made her way home.

She noticed Clark standing outside the close and she immediately ran away in fear.

On May 16, the child told a teacher at school about the incidents as she felt she did not have the confidence straight away.

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The school contacted police and officers responded. Whilst doing so Clark has gone to the window and the child identified him.

At 1.45pm officers spoke to the youngster who demonstrated the hand gesture used by Clark which cops agreed meant “come here”.

On May 17, police went to Clark’s flat where he was cautioned and made no reply. He was arrested and taken to a police station where he was interviewed.

Clark demonstrated the motion he used which matched that shown by the youngster. He was cautioned and charged to which he made no reply.

Clark’s lawyer told the court that his client was “very embarrassed”.

The defence solicitor said: “He feels what he was doing was joking and entertaining. He is very embarrassed to be here and to have this read out.

“He is very remorseful. Mr Clark has no social interactions and spends his days by himself. He spends a lot of time people-watching.

“He has been assessed as being in the minimum range of reoffending.”

Sheriff Anna Reid placed Clark on a community payback order with a period of social work supervision for 12 months.

Clark was also ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.