GALASHIELS RAPIST JOHN KEITH HARDIE FOUND GUILTY OF FURTHER SEX ATTACKS!
On the 10th of March, 2017, a man responsible for a sexual assault was sentenced to 150 hours of community service and ordered to pay £600 in restitution to his victim.John Keith Hardie, 61 years old from Galashiels, admitted to Assaulting a woman at Edinburgh’s Waverley station in July of the previous year.
The attack involved him grabbing her from behind, pressing against her, and inappropriately touching her breasts.
The court postponed sentence to this week to receive a social work assessment.
It was disclosed that Hardie has a prior criminal record for rape.
He was convicted in 1999 after a jury trial at Aberdeen's High Court of raping a woman in a hotel and was sentenced to five years in prison.
Defense attorney Mark Harrower explained that on the day of the incident, Hardie had consumed a large amount of alcohol, though he is not a heavy drinker normally.
The assault was characterized as spontaneous and unplanned by his lawyer.
Police footage indicated that Hardie followed the woman—who was of a similar age—and his lawyer suggested he regarded his actions as a joke rather than a criminal act.
Since then, Hardie has abstained from alcohol.
Previously working as a tour guide, Hardie lost a position involving vehicle deliveries across the UK but has found a less lucrative job.
The incident attracted significant media coverage in the Borders, resulting in public shame.
Currently on the sex offenders register due to his earlier conviction, Hardie’s case prompted Sheriff Corke to express concern, considering his past criminal history and the gravity of the current offense.
Although opposed to immediate jail, the sheriff ordered Hardie to settle the £600 compensation over monthly payments of £100.
