DANIEL WOOD SENTENCED IN ABERDEEN FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON TWO YOUNG MEN

A man named Daniel Wood has been formally sentenced to a term of 47 months in prison following his guilty plea to two serious charges of sexual assault involving two young male victims. The incidents took place in Aberdeen and Banff, Aberdeenshire, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the nature of his offenses.

According to the court, the first assault occurred in August 2020 at a homeless hostel in Aberdeen, where Wood was staying. The victim, a 17-year-old boy, was sleeping at the time when Wood attacked him. Despite the teenager explicitly expressing disinterest in any sexual activity, Wood forcibly engaged with him. The court heard that Wood made the young victim penetrate him orally, which, although not involving penetration of the victim, was still a grave act of sexual violence.

The second incident took place in November 2020, again in a bedroom setting, this time involving another young man who was a former college friend. During this assault, Wood took advantage of the victim while he was asleep in his own home in Banff. The court detailed that Wood not only engaged in acts of sexual violence but also penetrated the victim with his fingers and forced him to perform oral sex on him. These acts occurred while Wood was on bail, which added to the severity of his breaches of legal restrictions.

Throughout the court proceedings, it was noted that Wood refused to cooperate with psychiatric assessments, which hindered a full understanding of his mental health status. The court highlighted that a psychiatric report, which was delayed due to his non-cooperation, ultimately confirmed his fitness to stand trial. Despite this, Wood continued to obstruct the assessment process, refusing to engage with mental health professionals. The court was presented with concerns about his mental health, but no formal evaluation was completed due to his refusal.

During the sentencing, Lord Harrower emphasized the gravity of the offenses, stating that only a substantial custodial sentence would serve justice and act as a deterrent. The judge pointed out that the offenses involved acts of serious sexual violence, including penetration and oral acts, committed in the victims’ own bedrooms, which represented a gross breach of trust. The fact that Wood was a guest in the victims’ homes and under the influence of alcohol at the time further aggravated his culpability. The court also considered the psychological harm inflicted on the victims, with one victim’s statement indicating significant emotional trauma caused by Wood’s actions.

In his remarks, Lord Harrower noted that Wood’s guilty pleas, made just before the trial, spared him from a longer potential sentence of up to 52 months. The court also ordered that Wood be placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely, in accordance with legal requirements. The judge acknowledged Wood’s limited criminal record, which did not include previous sexual offenses, but stressed that the seriousness of these acts warranted a strong custodial response.

Furthermore, the court detailed the procedural history, including the delays caused by Wood’s refusal to cooperate with psychiatric evaluations. Despite concerns about his mental health, the court proceeded with sentencing based on the available evidence, including a psychiatric report indicating that Wood did not exhibit signs of mental illness at the time of assessment. The judge also noted that Wood had expressed remorse and offered a public apology through his legal counsel.

In conclusion, Lord Harrower sentenced Daniel Wood to 47 months in prison, with the sentence backdated to February 14, 2023, when he was first remanded in custody. The court also directed that details of his conviction be reported to the Scottish Ministers under the provisions of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007, ensuring that he remains on the sex offenders' register indefinitely. The case underscores the court’s recognition of the severity of sexual violence and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from such offenses.