A NORTH Berwick man who subjected two women to a homophobic attack has been placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Finlay MacDonald followed the two women to an address on the town’s Lochbridge Road while shouting offensive remarks at them in August last year.

MacDonald, 26, subjected the women to sexual comments including references of rape.

He then attempted to force entry to the women’s home and punched and headbutted a door before he managed to gain entry, whereupon he attempted to seize both women by the body.

While in the home, he repeatedly attempted to assault the women by spitting at them.

MacDonald, of Lime Grove, had admitted six offences when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in September and was due to be sentenced last month.

'Deeply unpleasant'

MacDonald failed to attend that sentencing hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He was then invited to attend court of his own volition last Friday, where a sheriff described his offending as “deeply unpleasant behaviour”.

Solicitor Chris Fehilly, representing MacDonald, said that his client had carried out “drunken unpleasantness” and told the court that he was now in full-time employment.

Mr Fehilly said that any discount given to his client for his early plea should be that a non-custodial sentence should be handed down.

Sheriff Donald Corke sentenced MacDonald to a community payback order whereby he will have to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work. He will also be placed under the supervision of the social work department for the next 24 months.

The sheriff also said that MacDonald’s name would be added to the sex offenders’ register for the next 12 months.

MacDonald admitted six offences, including behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, assaulting the women, making homophobic and sexual comments to them and attempting to force entry to the property at Lochbridge Road, North Berwick, on August 12 last year.