MICHAEL SCOBBIE FROM BUCHLYVIE SENTENCED AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT IN AMBULANCE IN FORTH VALLEY ROYAL HOSPITAL

A man from the small Scottish village of Buchlyvie, Michael Scobbie, has been handed a significant prison sentence following his conviction for a serious sexual assault incident involving a female healthcare worker. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the assault, which took place during a medical emergency transport to Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

According to court records, the incident occurred while a mercy crew was transporting Scobbie, who was reportedly heavily intoxicated at the time, on August 21, 2020. The ambulance was en route to Forth Valley Royal Hospital when the assault took place. During this distressing episode, Scobbie threatened the female health worker, making her feel intimidated and unsafe. He proceeded to sexually assault her by touching her over and under her clothing and also directed sexual remarks at her, further exacerbating the trauma of the situation.

The court also heard that during the assault, Scobbie made explicit threats to rape and kill the woman. In addition to the sexual misconduct, he physically assaulted her by punching her on the head, which caused injury. His behavior was aggressive and disruptive, as he shouted and swore at the healthcare worker, adding a layer of violence and intimidation to the incident.

At the time of his arrest, Scobbie was found lying in mud, indicating he was heavily intoxicated. The court was informed that he had no prior convictions, which was noted by his legal representative, William McIntyre. McIntyre stated that Scobbie had no recollection of the events but acknowledged that he had committed a 'terrible' offence. The defense also highlighted that Scobbie had sustained a serious leg injury earlier in the year, which involved screws and bolts, but he was willing to undertake unpaid work and was open to being tagged if supervised.

Furthermore, the court was told that Scobbie was actively seeking help for his alcohol addiction through the Change Grow Live service and was on a waiting list for the Community Alcohol and Drugs Service (CADS). It was suggested that supervised intervention could assist him in addressing his alcohol problems and prevent future incidents.

During the trial, Scobbie pleaded guilty to charges brought under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. These charges included the sexual assault of the woman during the ambulance journey from Buchlyvie to Forth Valley Royal Hospital, as well as behaving in a threatening and abusive manner at his residence in Fisher Place on June 25 of that year. On that date, he was heavily intoxicated, shouting, causing a disturbance, and acting aggressively when challenged by a witness and police officers.

The sheriff presiding over the case emphasized that there was no alternative but to impose a prison sentence. As a result, Scobbie was sentenced to 11 months in prison. Additionally, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years, reflecting the severity of his actions and the court’s commitment to public safety.