JONATHAN BRIER, PORTLETHEN, SENTENCED FOR SCANDAL INVOLVING SCHOOL PUPILS IN MARCH 2012
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Portlethen Sexual Abuser
In March 2012, a classroom assistant named Jonathan Brier from Portlethen was sentenced after sending sexually explicit messages to students at Mackie Academy. Brier, 20 years old at the time, admitted to sending text and Facebook messages to two female pupils in November of the previous year.
During a hearing on Wednesday, Sheriff Peter Hammond stated that Brier would be placed on the sex offenders register for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, participate in a sex offenders programme over the next two years, maintain good behaviour, and will be subject to offender supervision.
Sheriff Hammond described the sentence as a "direct alternative to custody." The court was informed that Brier, residing on Argyll Place, Portlethen, was employed at Mackie Academy when the offences occurred. An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman confirmed that Brier has since left the school.
Prosecutor Sandy Hutchison explained that Brier sent one message reading, "I would do you. Would you do me?" and added that the incident was brought to light after the acting rector expressed concern. Police investigations revealed that the girls had received messages via text and Facebook from Brier. Following this, he was immediately suspended from his role at the school.
Hutchison detailed other inappropriate messages, including Brier telling one girl he "would not mind a go on her" and commenting that she had "big, nice boobs." The defendant, who hung his head during the hearing, also asked both girls for pictures and engaged in discussions about oral sex. Brier inquired if he could see one girl naked, and one victim was asked if she would participate in a threesome with Brier and another girl.
Defense lawyer Kevin Longino described Brier’s background, stating he had been a pupil at the school just weeks before taking the role, with no prior experience or qualifications. He argued that Brier was "immature in personal relationships" and claimed that if he had acted this way while still a student, it would not have been considered a criminal offense. Longino characterized the actions as "a very unfortunate chain of stupid decisions" and added that Brier’s primary goal was to go abroad for a sports course, though his legal issues might prevent this.
Sheriff Hammond emphasized the severity of the breach of trust, noting that Brier's actions demonstrated premeditation and persistence in contacting the girls. The sheriff also reminded Brier that his employers had warned him against engaging with pupils on Facebook, and warned that the court could have sentenced him to prison.
During a hearing on Wednesday, Sheriff Peter Hammond stated that Brier would be placed on the sex offenders register for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, participate in a sex offenders programme over the next two years, maintain good behaviour, and will be subject to offender supervision.
Sheriff Hammond described the sentence as a "direct alternative to custody." The court was informed that Brier, residing on Argyll Place, Portlethen, was employed at Mackie Academy when the offences occurred. An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman confirmed that Brier has since left the school.
Prosecutor Sandy Hutchison explained that Brier sent one message reading, "I would do you. Would you do me?" and added that the incident was brought to light after the acting rector expressed concern. Police investigations revealed that the girls had received messages via text and Facebook from Brier. Following this, he was immediately suspended from his role at the school.
Hutchison detailed other inappropriate messages, including Brier telling one girl he "would not mind a go on her" and commenting that she had "big, nice boobs." The defendant, who hung his head during the hearing, also asked both girls for pictures and engaged in discussions about oral sex. Brier inquired if he could see one girl naked, and one victim was asked if she would participate in a threesome with Brier and another girl.
Defense lawyer Kevin Longino described Brier’s background, stating he had been a pupil at the school just weeks before taking the role, with no prior experience or qualifications. He argued that Brier was "immature in personal relationships" and claimed that if he had acted this way while still a student, it would not have been considered a criminal offense. Longino characterized the actions as "a very unfortunate chain of stupid decisions" and added that Brier’s primary goal was to go abroad for a sports course, though his legal issues might prevent this.
Sheriff Hammond emphasized the severity of the breach of trust, noting that Brier's actions demonstrated premeditation and persistence in contacting the girls. The sheriff also reminded Brier that his employers had warned him against engaging with pupils on Facebook, and warned that the court could have sentenced him to prison.