Business consultant admits ‘hand massager’ sexual assault

A married business consultant sexually assaulted a cleaner with a “hand massager”.

Craig Sutherland, 54, pulled out the battery operated device and asked the cleaner if she had ever used one before.

He then put it on her neck and grabbed her waist and spun her round before she managed to break free from his grasp.

Sutherland, of Broom Road, Kinross, was placed on the sex offenders register when he admitted sexual assault at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday by placing “a hand massager or similar instrument” on the woman’s body in Kinross on September 23.

Depute fiscal Matthew Kerr said the woman was cleaning when Sutherland struck.

“At one point the accused asked her if she could hoover under the bed. She noted he had already moved furniture to make it easier for her.

“As she finished hoovering within the bedroom, he showed her a hand massager and said ‘have you ever used one of these before?’

“She replied she hadn’t, and moved away. The accused placed it on her neck. This made her feel uncomfortable and she tried to step away.

“She observed the accused place a hand on her waist and he spun her round. She got the accused’s hand off her waist before pushing him off.

“He asked her to sit down and talk to him. As she left, he said ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me’.”

The court was told Sutherland confessed to his wife immediately and she phoned the victim’s mother to discuss the incident.

Sheriff Christopher Shead deferred sentence for reports and added Sutherland’s details to the register.