AYR MAN DODGES JAIL FOR TK MAXX SEX ATTACK ON WOMAN
AN AYR man who sexually assaulted a woman working at a clothing shop in the town dodged jail after the repeat offender denied the charge at trial.Allan West was found guilty of a single allegation of attacking a member of staff at TX Maxx in the town's River Street.
The 60-year-old was convicted by Sheriff Siobhan Connelly of touching the woman on the body during the course of her employment on February 10, 2024, without her consent.
We previously reported the same year that Sheriff Maria Kicinski continued West's bail and allowed the Ferguson Street resident's attendance to be excused at a further pre-trial hearing.
When West returned to court for sentencing on Tuesday, January 6, defence solicitor Tony Currie said: "It proceeded to trial and we now have a full background report.
His position is, having obviously proceeded to trial, since then I get from Mr West and the report a growing acceptance that whatever happened in the incident, he caused some distress.
There is also an analogous previous conviction in 2018.
His personal circumstances have deteriorated, he had long-standing employment that took him abroad, that has now come to an end as a consequence of informing his employer, and also his curfew conditions.
I would invite you to draw a line under the matter below the custody threshold.
He would benefit himself and benefit the community significantly from a community disposal.
There would be educational benefits from supervision and he would tend to whatever community-based options are deemed appropriate."
