Man walks free after sex crime

IT manager with NHS embarrassed after paying prostitute

A Dundee IT manager who solicited a prostitute after his marriage broke down and he was diagnosed with cancer has walked free from court.

Derek Hannan, 56, of Marine Parade Walk, approached a sex worker on Dundee’s Arbroath Road on June 2 of this year.

Yesterday at Dundee Sheriff Court the father-of-two admitted to picking up a prostitute and paying her £50 for sex.

The court heard Mr Hannan, who The Courier understands works in a senior position within NHS Tayside and earns £50,000 a year, had become depressed after his 30-year marriage broke down.

During yesterday’s hearing it also emerged the 56-year-old had previously been diagnosed with cancer.

Prosecutor fiscal Trina Sinclair said: “At eight o’clock in the evening the accused approached a known prostitute and asked her to get into his vehicle.

“He said he wanted to have sex and would give her £50 – she agreed.

“The accused was seen by a community warden who called the police.

“The accused then drove to City Quay and they had sex.

“At nine o’clock police traced the accused’s vehicle.”

Defence lawyer Mike Short said: “This is an unfortunate case.

“He is a responsible man who has made a mistake, but who has a good job and who has lived a normal life.

“He accepts it was the wrong thing to do and he has paid the price in terms of embarrassment.”

“He has lived with this since it happened.”

Sheriff Simon Collins admitted he appreciated Hannan had a steady job and had people who rely on him.

Saying he felt no need to take up any more of the court’s time with the case, Sheriff Collins issued Hannan with an absolute discharge.

An NHS spokesperson said the health board “does not comment on matters relating to individual members of staff”.