Inverness sex offender ordered to pay £3000 in compensation for his crimes against a young girl decades ago
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A MAN who indecently assaulted a young girl in the late 80s and early 90s has been ordered to pay £3000 in compensation and had his liberty restricted for six months.
John Morrison, now aged 69, of Abbey Court, Inverness, must wear an electronic tag and remain in his home between 7pm and 7am.
He was also placed under two years of social work supervision and on the Sex Offenders’ Register for the same period.
He appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court for sentencing after various reports had been called for.
The former Inverness Prison maintenance man had previously admitted the then offence of lewd and libidinous practices, now updated to sex or indecent assault.
Sheriff Sara Matheson was told his victim reported it to police when she was an adult.
Fiscal depute Paline Gair said he began with cuddling and tickling the girl but, on an occasion when she was slightly older, threatened sexual violence towards her.
On other occasions he touched her intimately through her clothes and exposed her chest to apply vapour rub and did not replace her clothing.
Once, he got into bed with her and touched her intimately.
Solicitor Clare Russell said her client “was in the grip of an alcohol addiction at the time and had little recollection of events” but accepted the complainer would not have lied about his actions.
“He has not re-offended since and has been abstinent since 1996,” she said.
Sheriff Matheson told the pensioner that the compensation was not calculated to put a figure on the woman’s pain and added: “This offence had a great effect on her.
“The custodial threshold has been passed in this case. But in law, as you are a first offender, I have to consider if there is an alternative to custody and there is.”
