Man who sexually assaulted woman at party avoids jail

Accused is placed on the sex offenders register and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work

A man who sexually assaulted a woman dressed as a fairy-tale character while he was dressed as a zombie has avoided a jail sentence.

Steven Green pushed between his victim and her husband as they danced at a Halloween party in the early hours of November 1 last year.

He later repeatedly grabbed hold of the woman before putting his hand up her skirt and touching her private parts.

Green had denied indecently assaulting the woman, but last month a sheriff found him guilty and placed him on the sex offenders register.

He was sentenced at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday, with Sheriff Christopher Shead making it clear he had been considering imprisoning the 22-year-old.

In imposing a two-year supervision order, he said: “I make clear to you that this is an alternative to a custodial sentence. If you don’t comply you can expect a custodial sentence.”

Green was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

In March, Green, of Kingswell Terrace, Perth, was found guilty of behaving in a sexualised manner and grabbing hold of the woman’s body, placing his hand up her skirt and touching her and repeatedly trying to kiss her at Perth’s Loft nightclub.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court she had informed Green that she was with her husband but he refused to go away and instead continued trying to kiss and grope her until he was finally taken away by stewards.

Depute fiscal Rebecca Kynaston previously told the court: “Clearly the complainer stated in her evidence that he put his hand up her skirt.

“Initially she was OK with his attention, but he then crossed the line.

“She was unhappy with the way he was touching her and attempting to kiss her. She did not encourage him in any way and it was not welcome attention.

“There was certainly no evidence of consent. The actions of the accused were shown on the CCTV.

“The CCTV footage is quite explicit in showing the sexual element.

“She wasn’t putting herself there as a single person.

“There was a significant element to this charge.”

I make clear to you that this is an alternative to a custodial sentence. If you don’t comply you can expect a custodial sentence. SHERIFF CHRISTOPHER SHEAD

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