A STALKER was sentenced to a unique partial driving ban at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday.

For the next three years, Graham Simpson will normally only be allowed to take his car to work. He will be barred from driving for any other purpose unless he gets permission from his probation officer.

Sheriff John McInnes had heard that Simpson had repeatedly used his car to follow and alarm young women.

Simpson, 22, a green-keeper of Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie, admitted indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl by touching her buttocks, and indecently exposing himself to a 22-year-old woman.

Mrs Therese Oswald, depute-fiscal, said the 22-year-old was pony riding on a country road when Simpson slowly drove past several times, then got out wearing only a T-shirt and shoes.

Simpson had two previous convictions for harassing young women and defence lawyer Michael Tavendale said he now realised he needed help. He added: ``Most of his time is spent driving around and the offences have all been committed while using his car.''

Imposing a three-year probation order, the sheriff said that special conditions would include the restriction on his driving and his attendance at a project for sex offenders.

Perth and Kinross MP Roseanna Cunningham said she approved of the attendance at the project but felt the overall sentence did appear to be somewhat lenient.