A CLACKS man who sent a sexual message to a 14-year-old girl has been sentenced to unpaid work.

Scott Syme told the girl he loved her and that she was “too sexy” for her age.

She was described as being “very upset and distressed” following the incident.

Syme, 51, of Broom Park West, Menstrie, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last week.

He admitted that on July 17, last year, he sent a sexual written communication to the girl in Kincardine and made sexually inappropriate comments.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf previously told the court Syme and the girl were known to each other.

At 8pm Syme had sent text messages to the girl initially about buying alcohol.

He then said he loved her and followed this with, “F***, I can’t say that.”

Syme then wrote: “You’re too sexy for your age.”

The girl was extremely upset and contacted relatives. A family member found her “very upset and distressed, rocking back and forward on a sofa”, added the depute.

Police were contacted and Syme told them he did not think he had sent anything sexual.

He said he could not remember writing the messages, that it was a “stupid” thing to do and he could give no explanation.

Defence solicitor Alexander Flett said: “He’d had a lot to drink as it was the anniversary of his father’s death. He’s at a loss to explain what he did.”

He said his client had lost his job as a result of the offence and it had also impacted his social life of bowling and playing pool.

Sheriff Charles Macnair told Syme: “Being drunk at the time is no excuse for sending this sort of text to the girl.”

He imposed a community payback order with 180 hours of unpaid work and three years of supervision.

Syme was also put on the sex offenders register for three years.