Serial sex offender who attacked prisoner faces lengthy jail time

A serial sex offender who attacked a man while behind bars at Perth Prison has been warned to expect a hefty jail sentence.

Jack McKay, who has a history of abuse spanning four decades, carried out a sex attack on a “vulnerable” fellow inmate.

A court heard that the 61-year-old pinned his victim to a bed and abused him on July 7.

McKay was brought to Perth Sheriff Court for sentence yesterday, having previously pleaded guilty last month.

But Sheriff Michael Wood ruled McKay’s criminal record was so severe, the case needed to be referred to the high court.

The longest sentence that can be imposed at a sheriff court is five years.

Sheriff Wood told McKay: “This was an offence which was perpetrated in prison and you have a long history of committing sex offences.

“I am satisfied that this meets the risk criteria and for these reasons I will refer this matter to the high court.”

A date for his sentencing has still to be set.

The case raised questions about the prison’s decision to place the two men in proximity when McKay was known to be a danger to young men.

The Scottish Prison Service said it could not comment on individual inmates.

McKay was jailed for 32 months earlier this year after he repeatedly confronted a boy while naked from the waist down. His first sexual offence was in 1976 and he has more than a dozen convictions of a similar nature, including two from the high court.

He is considered a danger to the public and was made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order in 2012.