‘Tactile’ Fife chef found guilty of sex assaults on three women.

‘TACTILE’: Man admitted groping young women who worked with him

A Fife takeaway chef who was described as “naturally tactile” has narrowly avoided being jailed after sexually assaulting three young women.

Wenhua Zhuang appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court after previously admitting groping the young women who worked alongside him.

The chef, nicknamed “Monkey”, forced himself on the first teenager at the Peking House takeaway in Leslie between November 1 2015 and January 31 2016.

He targeted the woman by repeatedly touching her body, attempting to kiss her on the lips and offering her money for sexual contact.

He also admitted touching his second victim between August 1 2016 and August 9 2017.

Zhuang, of Parbroath Road in Glenrothes, sexually assaulted his third young victim between August 2 and 10.

His behaviour came to light after the mother of one of the young women reported him to the police.

He appeared alongside a translator at Dunfermline Sheriff Court and showed no emotion as he was dealt with by Sheriff Simon Collins.

Defence solicitor Mr Sievwright said his client was a “genuine first time offender” who is “naturally tactile”.

He added that whilst the groping offences were carried out by his client, most of them took place over clothing.

Mr Sievwright added: “All of the touching was over clothing and although all the complainers were relatively young, they were adults at the time of the offending.

“This is a case of unwanted touching of the complainers which is regretted by my client.”

Sheriff Collins QC said: “I’m taking account of the fact that you are a first offender and of your personal family circumstances.

“As a direct alternative to custody, I’m going to place you on a community payback order with an unpaid work requirement of 225 hours to be completed within nine months.

“There will also be a supervision requirement for 12 months to deal with your offending behaviour, offence analysis, victim empathy and appropriate sexual boundaries.”

Zhuang was also placed on the sex offenders register for one year.

He was banned from having any contact or attempting to get in touch with any of his three victims.

He must also pay each woman £500 in compensation within 12 months.

“This is a case of unwanted touching of the complainers which is regretted by my client