Man faces sex assault charges

The trial of a Perth man, accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a local health club and spa - and two days later dumping her in an industrial tumble dryer - has been delayed until the autumn.

Fifty-year-old Brian Lorimer, of Rannoch Road, was to have faced trial at Perth Sheriff Court last Thursday (May 20).

But that has now been put off until September 7, with an earlier hearing set for August 19.

Lorimer, who was represented in court by local lawyer Linda Clark, is also accused of sending the female a message, propositioning her and asking for sex.

Two of the offences are said to have taken place at Bannatyne’s Health Club and Spa, on the city’s St Catherine’s Retail Park.

The first charge alleges that on September 21, 2020, at Bannatyne’s, he sexually assaulted the woman by kissing her on the neck.

On September 23, again at the health club, he is said to have assaulted the same person by picking her up and placing her in the drying machine.

A third charge claims that on September 26, at his home, Lorimer sent a message that was“grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character” in that he asked the woman to have sex with him.

An alternative charge alleges that on September 26, at his house in Letham, he communicated indecently with the woman by sending her a message asking for sex.

Mrs Clark maintained not guilty pleas to all the charges, including the alternative, on behalf of her client.

Lorimer’s bail was continued meantime, including a special condition banning him from approaching or contacting the woman who cannot be named for legal reasons.