East Kilbride News

Deviant spared prison

Touchedtee­nageronbod­y

- Andrea O’Neill

A pervert who touched a teenager in the town centre and made a sexual remark towards him has avoided jail.

Henry McAdam, 60, had admitted conducting himself in a disorderly manner in Princes Mall on April 4, 2016.

He touched his 18-yearold male victim on the body, followed him and made a sexual remark towards him.

Defending, Stephen McQuillan told Hamilton Sheriff Court this was an unusual set of circumstan­ces but there was “no doubt” that this was a horrible incident for the victim.

Mr McQuillan said: “Mr McAdam is someone who doesn’t understand boundaries and appropriat­e conduct, but this is not about what happened to Mr McAdam, it is about what happened to this young man.

“He [McAdam] is ashamed at the situation.”

McAdam, who suffers from a learning disability, was originally facing a sexual assault charge, but following extensive discussion­s with the Crown, this was amended to a lesser charge of breach of the peace.

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre told the court when deciding punishment, he had to question whether or not there was a “significan­t” sexual element.

Sentencing McAdam to three years’ supervisio­n and requiring that he sees a psychologi­st, Sheriff McIntyre told the first offender that he had been“entirely motivated in a sexual manner” but was satisfied there was not a significan­t sexual element.

He said: “I propose to deal with this by way of a supervisio­n order which is only something I can do if I think the offence is serious enough for a prison sentence.

“This offence is one that crosses the line but I must not impose custody if there is an alternativ­e available to me, and in this case there is.

“You are 60 and this is your first criminal offence. You are of good character and, although there is a sexual element to this, I have to keep perspectiv­e and conclude that there is not a significan­t sexual element that would require notificati­on.”

He added: “This must have been distressin­g for the person involved. You are a person who does not recognise boundaries and limits but you do have a learning disability. I am satisfied that work is going to be done.”

McAdam, of White Cart Tower, St Leonards, was told if he breaches the community payback order he could be sent to prison.

This offence is one that crosses the line...

 ??  ?? Sentenced McAdam appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court
Sentenced McAdam appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court

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