A HADDINGTON handyman who sent text messages to a customer claiming he had seen up her skirt while he carried out work at her home has been ordered to complete unpaid work in the community.

Marc Anderson, 49, carried out work at the woman’s home in the town after she had employed him on several previous occasions.

Anderson was said to have completed the work satisfactorily before leaving the home without any complaints over his behaviour in March last year.

The worker then drunkenly texted the woman later that evening saying he “felt guilty” for taking a payment of £40 and also stating, “I should have paid you,” as he claimed he had seen up her skirt.

A further message from Anderson stated: “I’m so sorry. I know I can’t come back.”

After receiving the messages, the shocked woman then decided to report the matter to the police and the handyman was later arrested and charged.

Anderson appeared in the dock at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to sending messages to the woman that were grossly offensive.

READ MORE: Handyman told customer he had seen up her skirt in drunk texts

Sheriff Donald Corke sentenced Anderson to a community payback order consisting of an unpaid work order for 40 hours.

Solicitor Angela Craig had previously said that her client, of Carlyle Gardens, was “thoroughly ashamed” at what he had done.

Anderson admitted sending electronic messages to the woman that were grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character while carrying out work at her home on March 27 last year.