Funeral director sentenced for sexual assault on colleague

FUNERAL DIRECTOR SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON COLLEAGUE

A funeral director named Craig Armstrong, aged 52, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a female colleague in January 2022 at a funeral parlour in Edinburgh.

The assault involved Armstrong grabbing and slapping the woman on her buttocks while they were alone in the kitchen area.

He also made sexual comments, discussing the size of her breasts and asking if she was late for work because she had been “s****ing” her partner.

Additionally, Armstrong used derogatory language, calling his colleague “a wee slut” and “a wee dirty” in front of others.

The victim reported the incident to the management, leading to Armstrong's suspension and subsequent dismissal.

The court heard testimony from Joyce Cruickshank, who witnessed the assault and overheard Armstrong’s lewd comments.

Armstrong denied the allegations but was convicted during a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, which took place last month.

Sheriff Roderick Flinn sentenced him to a fine of £320 and ordered him to register as a sex offender for five years.

The court also revealed that Armstrong's behavior included repeatedly making graphic sexual remarks and using derogatory language towards the woman, constituting sexual assault and unwelcome sexual communication.

Though Armstrong claimed to have engaged in 'banter,' the court found sufficient evidence of guilt following the trial.