SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR ADVANCES TO WOMAN
A 65-year-old repeat offender with a history of sexual offenses was sentenced to 15 months in prison by Wick Sheriff Court.Marty Higgins had previously been convicted of making unwanted, drunken sexual advances towards a woman during an event at Reay village hall on Hogmanay.
During the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Sheriff Neil Wilson criticized Higgins’ behavior, stating he should feel shame for his actions.
The court was informed that the woman involved was left traumatized by incidents that occurred outside the hall and inside Higgins’ residence in the village around the turn of the year, specifically on December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2024.
Following a three-day trial in February, a jury convicted Higgins of the charges, prompting Sheriff Wilson to order a criminal justice social work report.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Higgins made repeated sexually suggestive remarks outdoors and requested sexual acts from the woman.
Additionally, while dressed in a gown, Higgins exposed himself to her in a room at his house in Beinn Ratha Court.
Higgins’ solicitor, Patrick O’Dea, highlighted that his client has health issues and was accompanied by his partner and son to court.
He explained that Higgins suffers from significant sleep problems and memory lapses but emphasised that his health conditions do not prevent him from confronting the issues he faces.
The agent said: “He was heavily intoxicated and has difficulty remembering what happened that night.
Alcohol does him no favours.” Since the offence, Higgins had curtailed his drinking to having only a tin of beer with a meal three or four times a week.
Sheriff Neil Wilson noted that Higgins had sufficient memory to give a clear account to social workers who prepared the report.
This, said the sheriff, was at odds with evidence given in his trial.
Sheriff Wilson said Higgins continued to believe he was the victim of a malicious allegation and, as with two previous similar offences for which he was jailed, remained in denial.
The sheriff said: “He chose to behave in a certain way.
He chose to consume alcohol and he chose to repeatedly conduct himself in a course of conduct with a woman trapped in a bedroom.
“She was a long way from home and I am told that she is still traumatised several years later.” Mr O’Dea said Higgins realises the offence and his record places him in a difficult position.
But he said he has taken steps to minimise the chances of re-offending.
Higgins, he said, is also aware the impact the offence has had on the complainer.
Saying he would co-operate with a high-tariff community sentence, Mr O’Dea asked the sheriff to spare his client jail.
But Sheriff Wilson said there was no alternative to custody.
He said: “I see nothing in the report to give me confidence that he has any insight into his behaviour.
