MARK PATERSON'S ABERDEEN SEX OFFENDER CONVICTION OVERTURNED IN EDINBURGH COURT

In a significant legal development, Mark Paterson, a man previously registered as a sex offender in Aberdeen, has had his conviction officially overturned by the Justiciary Appeal Court in Edinburgh. The case originally stemmed from allegations of indecent assault made against him at the University of Aberdeen, specifically within the university’s Chaplaincy Centre, during the years 2002 to 2004.

Paterson, now aged 55, was initially convicted in 2006 following a five-day trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. The court found him guilty of indecently assaulting a woman, leading to a sentence that included the requirement to complete 200 hours of community service. This conviction placed him on the sex offenders register, marking a serious and lasting consequence for his legal record.

However, the case did not end there. In 2012, the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission referred the matter for further examination, which ultimately resulted in the case being brought before the Justiciary Appeal Court in Edinburgh. After a thorough review, the court decided to quash Paterson’s conviction, citing new evidence and issues related to non-disclosure that had not been previously considered.

Following the court’s decision, Paterson expressed his profound relief and happiness, stating, “I am delighted. I am over the moon.” His supporters, including the University of Aberdeen’s Catholic Society, had long maintained that he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice. The court’s ruling reflected this perspective, acknowledging that the original conviction was flawed.

Lady Smith, one of the judges presiding over the appeal, clarified the court’s reasoning by stating, “We will allow this appeal in relation to the fresh evidence and non-disclosure grounds and the outcome is the conviction will be quashed.” This decision marks a significant turning point for Paterson, who now seeks to restore his reputation after years of legal and personal turmoil.