Man guilty of sex assaults on dancefloor

AFife man has been placed on the sex offenders register after sexually harassing women at a party and slapping them on the bottom.

Jamie Downie was convicted of a string of assaults and sexual assaults which took place at a party in Glenrothes.

He was convicted following a trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

Downie also admitted injuring two men during his dancefloor rampage, which only lasted a matter of minutes.

CCTV captured drunken Downie’s attacks on the dancefloor of the Phoenix pub in Glenrothes’ Carrick Gate.

A party had been taking place there on October 23 last year.

Shortly before midnight, Downie, of Meldrum Road in Kirkcaldy, began to assault people.

In total, he was convicted of striking five women on the buttocks with his hand.

None of the female victims in the case can be identified for legal reasons.

Downie admitted at the beginning of the trial he also assaulted Alistair Donald by punching him on the head and body.

He also admitted punching Jamie Carscadden on the head.

Both men were left injured as a result.

Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard the 31-year-old was challenged over his behaviour.

Downie’s solicitor, David McLaughlin, argued his client’s slapping of women’s buttocks was not sexually motivated and at one point he was seen to attempt to slap a man’s behind too.

He said: “It doesn’t mean Mr Downie’s behaviour was anything other than appalling.

“Mr Downie can be seen basically rampaging around the dancefloor, in full view, slapping forcefully the bottoms of the complainers.

“It looked to be fairly indiscriminate,” Mr McLaughlin added.

Sheriff James MacDonald said: “There is clear CCTV footage.

“There can be no doubt that the accused was at the time intoxicated.

“Equally, there can be no doubt that the accused acted in the manner libelled.

“The targeting of the accused was to a private area.

“That was the case for each and every complainer.

“I take the view that they may be regarded as sexual behaviour.

“I’m satisfied beyond reasonable doubt.”

The court heard Downie already has a criminal record.

He will be sentenced at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on May 9.

Sheriff MacDonald ordered a social work report and restriction of liberty order assessment and placed Downie on the sex offenders register.

‘RAMPAGE’: Jamie Downie was convicted over his conduct at a party in Glenrothes.