AN ALVA man insists he did not commit a sexual offence when he grabbed a 14-year-old girl and kissed her on the neck.

Hugh Haney, 57, pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace, but denied behaving in a sexual manner towards the child.

The offence took place on High Street, Tillicoultry, on April 18 this year.

According to the court papers, Haney conducted himself in a disorderly manner by engaging a group of children in conversation and repeatedly asking them for money, before seizing the teenager by the body, kissing her on the neck and smelling her hair.

Yet, when he appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, June 29, the nature of the incident was debated.

Mike Lowry, defending, told the court that "the plea was agreed on the basis that this was not a sexual offence".

No further details of the offence itself were heard, with the case further adjourned for the completion of an assessment by the Forth Valley substance abuse treatment service.

Haney, of The Nebit, will return to court on July 27 for sentencing.