Inverness sex offender could face a life sentence

A SEX offender who defied a court anti-crime order before indecently assaulting a woman should face a life sentence, a court was told today.

John Angus (58) was under surveillance in Inverness when he gave police the slip and fled to Aberdeen where he assaulted a 21-year-old woman.

He pulled down the victim’s trousers and pants and exposed himself at a house in Aberdeen on May 5 last year after breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). Angus gave the woman an anti-depressant drug and assaulted her while she was asleep or unconscious through drink or drugs.

Angus, whose criminal record includes offences of abduction, robbery and prison breaking, made his latest appearance ahead of sentencing before Lord Brodie at the High Court in Edinburgh today.

His counsel Chris Shead asked for a continuation in the case to allow him to consult with a consultant psychologist who has prepared a report on Angus on behalf of the defence. He said it may have a bearing on the question of the "degree of risk" that Angus poses and was of importance as the judge may have to consider imposing an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR). It was the sixth time Angus has had his sentence deferred.

Advocate depute Tim Niven-Smith said the Crown would ultimately be submitting that Angus does meet the risk criteria for such an order - under which a judge imposes a minimum term for the offender to serve in prison with the parole authorities deciding if and when he is freed. If released the offender is kept under supervision.

The advocate depute said it would be maintained that Angus’ latest offence and the pattern of behaviour revealed by his "substantial" record demonstrated that if at liberty he would pose the level of risk to meet the requirements for an OLR.

Lord Brodie continued Angus’ case until October 18 with him detained in custody.