A party of schoolchildren from the Czech Republic had their trip to Scotland disrupted by the “mindless” actions of a drug user.

The culprit was 27-year-old Dale Ross who was on crack cocaine when he vandalised the bus which had been parked up for the night.

Unemployed Ross, of Main Street, Tullibody, appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court for sentencing.

He previously admitted that on September 6 at a public car park at Newmills, Tullibody, he maliciously damaged windows and the windscreen of a coach by repeatedly striking them.

Depute fiscal Sean Iles said the coach had brought children from the Czech Republic on a school trip to Scotland.

The extensive damage to the vehicle was discovered at 6.30am on the day when the party was supposed to be heading back on the journey home. This was delayed until the repair work could be carried out later that day.

Defence solicitor Kelly Howe said: “He says he is ashamed and embarrassed by his behaviour. He was under the influence of drugs at the time.”

Sheriff Neil Bowie told Ross: “This was totally mindless damage and it affected these children, who were visitors to the area on holiday. It would have resulted in a considerable financial cost and considerable inconvenience to those who were travelling that day.

“Your explanation was that you had been taking crack cocaine. If you continue to offend, you’ll be ending up in prison.”

Instead, the sheriff imposed a community payback order with 270 hours of unpaid work and 12 months of supervision.