KENNETH BISSET SHOCKS BRIDGE OF EARN WITH PUBLIC INDECENCY INCIDENT AT DUNNING STREET

A 76-year-old man from Bridge of Earn, Kenneth Bisset, has appeared in court following a disturbing incident that was captured on video and subsequently shared on Facebook. The footage shows Bisset performing a solo sexual act inside his own living room, which was visible to passers-by through a window on Dunning Street. The incident took place on January 25, 2021, and the video was recorded by a stunned member of the public who happened to be passing by.

According to reports, Bisset was at his residence with his curtains open, making him clearly visible from the street. Unaware of being watched or recorded, he appeared to be lost in his own world, as prosecutors described it. The footage, which later circulated on social media, caused considerable concern among local residents and prompted police action.

On the day of the incident, a group of individuals was parked outside Bisset’s home, waiting to pick up children from a nearby nursery. At approximately 2 pm, one of the witnesses turned to her left and noticed Bisset through a ground-floor window. She observed him removing his penis from his trousers and engaging in masturbation. Shocked by what she saw, she began filming the scene. Another person approached the window and knocked, but received no response from inside the house. The incident was reported to the police shortly thereafter.

Bisset was subsequently arrested and taken to Dundee police station. However, he was released on an undertaking, and no further detention was made at that time. The fiscal depute, Duncan MacKenzie, explained to the court that although there was a sexual element involved, the footage clearly showed that Bisset was not staring at any witnesses or making eye contact. Instead, he appeared to be in his own world, oblivious to the outside environment.

During the court hearing at Perth Sheriff Court, solicitor Paul Ralph, representing Bisset, emphasized that his client was unaware of the outside world during the incident. He pointed out that the window facing the pavement was the only reason the act was visible to passers-by. Ralph also noted that the footage had already circulated on the Bridge of Earn community Facebook page, and that Bisset had faced some social repercussions locally, including questions from friends about his behavior.

The court considered whether to place Bisset on the Sex Offenders Register. Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC stated that, based on the footage, Bisset was not looking at any witnesses and appeared to be in his own world. She highlighted that there was no evidence of any sexual intent directed toward the public and that Bisset was unaware of being observed. Consequently, she decided not to impose notification requirements upon him.

While the sheriff deferred sentencing to allow for background reports, she made it clear that she did not believe Bisset’s actions warranted a custodial sentence. The court’s decision was based on the lack of evidence indicating any sexual deviance or disorder, and the fact that Bisset was not engaging with witnesses during the incident.