A WEE COUNTY driving instructor will be under supervision for three years, after offering a student free lessons in return for "sexual favours".

Alistair MacCorquodale, 65, first appeared in Alloa Sheriff Court for trial on April 30, with proceedings finally concluding on June 5, and he had maintained his innocence throughout.

However, on June 12, a sheriff found him guilty of two charges of sexual assault and one of indecent communication and deferred sentencing for the preparation of reports.

When he appeared in the town's court yesterday (Tuesday), defence lawyer Claire MacCarron said her client's position was largely the same.

Referencing the report, she said he "accepts the decision" and had acknowledged that his behaviour had been "unprofessional".

She outlined that he was at a relatively low risk of reoffending, not least because he was no longer going to be working as a driving instructor.

And she said he had been warned that custody might be an option for the court but that it was one which would have a "devastating" effect.

During the trial, the court had heard MacCorquodale phoned the heavily-pregnant pupil, who was struggling for money, and had alluded to "fun for free lessons".

He had also sent her a number of text messages and voicemails into the early hours of the morning but had maintained there was no sexual element to it all.

However, he was found guilty of sending electronic messages that were grossly offensive, or of an indecent or menacing character, in that he offered free lessons in return for sexual activity at a property in Alva, contrary to the Communications Act 2003, between October 5 and October 6, 2017.

MacCorquodale was also found guilty of a charge of sexual assault that outlined between October 1, 2016, and May 30, 2017, at a spot in Tillicoultry, and other roadways in Clackmannanshire while in a car, he touched a complainer on the body with his hand on numerous occasions.

He was found guilty of a second charge that between April 1, 2017, and July 1, 2017, at another place in Tillicoultry, and other roadways within Clackmannanshire, he touched another complainer on the body with his hand on numerous occasions.

Yesterday, Sheriff Derek Reekie told him he had given consideration to imposing a custodial sentence but acknowledged that he was a first offender.

However, he highlighted that some of the comments made by MacCorquodale for the report did not sit easily with him, with one in particular described as "highly distasteful".

He warned the discourse gave him "no credit whatsoever" and also spoke of the discrepancies between what was said during trial and explanations given in the document.

He said there was denial and a refusal to acknowledge underlying behaviour.

He told him: "It is clear that your overall attitude remains as it was in your evidence."

MacCorquodale, of Queen Street, Alva, was given supervision for three years.

He will also be on the sex offenders' register for this period and will attend the Moving Forward Making Changes rehabilitation programme.

In addition, he has a conduct requirement for alcohol assessment and counselling, to take account of the communications charge which occurred when he was drinking.

The sheriff warned him: "I need to make it clear to you that this is an alternative to custody."