Disabled Scots mum scared to go out after being sexually harassed while waiting for bus 

Sara Ballentyne was standing on Hope Street alone at around 10am on Saturday, August 21, after being out shopping with her husband Gordon and her mum.

A mum has been left scared to leave her home after she was sexually harassed while waiting for a bus in Glasgow City Centre.

Pollok woman Sara Ballentyne was standing on Hope Street alone at around 10am on Saturday, August 21, after going out shopping with her husband Gordon and her mum.

Mum-of-two Sara has now spoken of the horror incident that left her 'terrified' and 'feeling helpless'. She said a male stranger repeatedly commented that he loved her and tried to kiss her - as members of the public watched on.

The 33-year-old claimed she was unable to travel with her family as her wheelchair can't fold. Speaking to Glasgow Live, she said: "There wasn't anything I could do and no one around me stepped in. I was on my own.

"The man kept trying to grab me and trying to kiss me. I was just begging for the bus to come because I was so uncomfortable and felt like I couldn't get away from the guy.

"I was glad when it came, but then the guy said he would help me get on. He was still clinging to me. "Luckily he didn't get on with me. The people on the bus who had witnessed it just gave me a sympathetic smile."

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Sara, who only became a wheelchair user three years ago following an injury to her spine, says she has now lost confidence in going out on her own.

She continued: "I feel a lot more unsafe going out on my own. I can't go by the place where it happened. Even going out with my husband now I'm scanning the streets. It has really damaged my confidence. I felt vulnerable in the wheelchair. For the longest time, I felt like I had the smallest amount of freedom.

"I felt confident because I felt like I was owning that I am a disabled young person and then that happened. Being a woman, things like that happen. That's the first time something like that has happened to me in the chair - so that made me feel even more enclosed.

"I used to go out on my own and get out of the house but I'm not doing that now. I don't want to be alone in the chair."

Sara, who can't walk more than a few steps, is now hoping to raise funds to buy a folding wheelchair which will allow her to travel in the car and to deal with the pain she experiences in her current powerchair. She hopes it will also allow her to do more activities with her kids.

She added: "It would mean I would be able to go places with my family and not travel alone. I can't get a taxi or go in a car because of the chair I have. It limits where and when I can go places because where I live public transport isn't good past 6pm.

"The other issue I have is with my tailbone and my current chair, I can't use a cushion so it is excruciating because I have to sit forward. It wasn't designed for my body shape.

"If I go out for the day I can be out of commission for a few days. But I push myself to the limit because I don't want my kids to miss out but it has an impact."

Top news stories today

• 'Scottish Power caused death of my pony'
• First pic of tragic crash mum & girl, 6
• Paedo moans about being forced to flee
• Scot quits job to launch soap empire

Sara has launched a GoFundMe in the hope of raising £1,000 for a second-hand replacement. Speaking about the fundraiser, she added: "There are so many good causes out there and I don't want to take away from any of them.

"But your support, no matter the amount, would mean the world to me and my family. With your help, I can finally start enjoying life again, without fear holding me back."

Anyone wishing to donate can do so here.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter .

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.