DANIEL HOOTON CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN EDINBURGH AND YORKSHIRE

A 31-year-old scout leader named Daniel Hooton has been found guilty of multiple sexual assault charges involving three teenage girls during incidents that took place in 2019. The assaults occurred at various locations, including scout camps near Biel in Yorkshire and a church hall in Edinburgh. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about Hooton’s inappropriate conduct towards the victims, which included touching and kissing in secluded settings.

According to court records, Hooton targeted the young girls by engaging in inappropriate physical contact. This included rubbing their upper thighs, placing his hand on their thighs near their groin area, and in one instance, kissing a girl on her neck within a private room at an Edinburgh church. The victims, who are legally protected and therefore unnamed, provided their testimonies via video link during the trial, describing the distressing encounters they endured.

One of the victims, who was only 15 years old at the time, recounted that Hooton repeatedly touched her and once took her away to a quiet spot at the camp. During this private moment, he expressed affection that was clearly inappropriate and made her feel uncomfortable. Another girl described Hooton’s overly physical behavior, including placing his hand on her thigh and kissing her neck inside a church room. The third victim detailed three separate incidents where Hooton’s actions made her feel uneasy, including inappropriate touches such as stroking her back and touching inside her shorts.

Despite denying the allegations, Hooton was convicted on all three charges in the Edinburgh Sheriff Court. The court’s judgment confirmed that the offenses took place in 2019 and emphasized the severity of his actions. As part of his sentence, Hooton has been placed on the sex offenders' register. However, the court deferred sentencing due to health issues, with a new sentencing date scheduled for the future. The victims’ testimonies highlighted the impact of Hooton’s misconduct, and the court underscored the seriousness of his crimes.

In response to the case, Scouts Scotland has been contacted for comment, though no official statement has been provided at this time. The court’s decision reflects the ongoing efforts to address and prevent abuse within youth organizations, and the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals in community settings.