Pervert pounced on teen runner

Jun 12 2009 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

A WEIRDO attacked a 14-year-old schoolgirl while she was out jogging.

Creepy Christopher Murphy targeted the youngster as she was training for her school’s athletics meeting.

The 25-year-old stalked her as she ran through the streets and then, as she stopped to stretch, he approached her from behind and pounced on her.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard that the attack took place at 10pm on Monday, May 11, this year while the victim was out for a run close to a primary school.

She spotted Murphy, who she knew, and noticed that he had stopped to stare at her.

As the schoolgirl followed her route, she then spotted him standing on a pavement near his home.

Procurator fiscal Frank Clarke told the court: “She assumed he was going home but, as she ran towards him, she saw that he continued to walk on past his house.

“For whatever reason, her instinct perhaps, she slowed down, wishing to avoid catching up with him.

“He was continually looking over his shoulder, watching her. As she reached the end of the avenue, she stopped her run and started doing her stretching exercises next to a green telephone box.

“He then came up behind her, reached around her, put his hand between her legs and rubbed her lower parts.

“She began to cry but didn’t scream out. She struggled with him and eventually broke free and ran home to her mum, who phoned the police.”

The court heard that the schoolgirl identified Murphy as her attacker and he later admitted the offence, which took place in Inchinnan, when quizzed by cops.

Mr Clarke added: “Worryingly, the accused admitted that, when he saw the girl, it was his intention to go up and touch her.

“He told police he didn’t know why, it was just something men do.”

Murphy, of Birkhall Avenue, Inchinnan, escaped a jail sentence when he appeared in the dock at court.

Instead, Sheriff James Spy placed the accused on probation for three years.

Sheriff Spy told him: “There are a number of troubling matters concerning this case. I need to provide the public with the level of protection I think is required here.

“I sentence you to three years probation but I intend to keep a close eye on you.

“You are required to attend counselling and the probation order will be reviewed in three months’ time.

“It is in your interests to comply. I will send you to jail if you do not.”