Pensioner placed on sex offenders register for sex act on golf course

A Fife pensioner has been placed on the sex offenders register after admitting carrying out a sex act on a St Andrews golf course.

Derek Holliday was caught carrying out the act beside one of the greens on the Eden course last July.

The 70-year-old was also found naked at a bird hide at Morton Lochs near Tayport days before the country went into the first Covid lockdown.

Depute fiscal Emma Farmer told Dundee Sheriff Court: “It was around 3.35pm when witnesses were on the golf course.”

She said they saw the accused, who was naked, carrying out the sex act beside a hide adjacent to the course.

The police were contacted.

“At about 4.37pm officers attended,” added Ms Farmer.

“The accused’s vehicle registration number was provided to the police, they located the vehicle, stopped it and charged the accused.

“He replied he was hoping to ‘get home’ as he had medication there.

“His reply to caution and charge was: ‘I didn’t know anyone was watching me, otherwise I would not have done it’.”

Holliday, of Abbotsford Court, Glenrothes, pled guilty to intentionally engaging in a sex act at Eden Golf Course, St Andrews.

Holliday had been caught in a compromising position in Fife the year before.

Ms Farmer said: “The witness was walking her dog at around 7.30pm close to a bird hide.

“She overheard the accused shout: ‘Don’t come in, I’m naked’.

“He asked if she had a key for the hide, she asked if he required assistance.

“He said no, but asked if she ‘wanted to come in’.

“After 11pm the same day police attended.

“They led the accused back to his car and no further action was taken at the time.”

Holliday admitted a charge of public indecency at Morton Lochs, Tayport, on March 14 2020.

He will return to court on June 28 for sentencing, with Sheriff John Rafferty placing him on the sex offenders register in the meantime.

“I didn’t know anyone was watching me