PATRICK JESS SHAMES STATHKINNESS AND FIFE WITH SEX OFFENSES AT ST ANDREWS RIFLE CLUB

A former coach associated with the St Andrews Rifle Club has been officially registered as a sex offender following a conviction for multiple sexual misconduct charges involving female students. Patrick Jess, a volunteer at the club, was found guilty of engaging in a series of inappropriate and sexual assaults against four women over a span of several years. The court proceedings, held at Dundee Sheriff Court, revealed disturbing details about Jess’s interactions with his victims, which included acts of touching and inappropriate behavior under the guise of helping them with various tasks.

During the trial, it was disclosed that Jess would often run errands for the women, such as caring for their pets and assisting with university coursework. His victims believed he was an employee of the university, a misconception Jess never corrected. This was likely due to his own shame about his true role as a “house husband,” a fact he kept hidden from those around him. Jess, who is autistic, was later dismissed from the university club where he had served as president, following the allegations and his conviction.

The first victim was targeted between September 2019 and March 2023. Jess was accused of repeatedly handling her buttocks and inappropriately touching her while he was fixing her shooting jacket. During the trial, Jess admitted to the court that he had said, “I don’t know how to do this without sexually assaulting you,” indicating some awareness of his misconduct. His defense attorney, Mark Stewart KC, questioned whether Jess’s actions were driven by sexual intent, asking if there was any such intent when Jess placed his hands near her breasts inside her jacket. Jess responded that there was “absolutely none” and claimed his actions were part of a joke, asserting that he believed all interactions were consensual.

Further charges involved Jess’s conduct towards other women. Between 2021 and 2023, he was convicted of sexually assaulting a second woman, during which he handled her breasts and repeatedly touched her buttocks. The third victim’s case involved similar behavior, with Jess touching her buttocks on multiple occasions. The court heard that the two would often “cuddle in bed for many hours,” during which the victim was suffering from poor mental health. Jess claimed that he felt he was engaging in normal interactions and that he could have walked away at any time, insisting that his intentions were to ensure her happiness and well-being. He denied any inappropriate touching during these cuddles and rejected the idea that his behavior was predatory, stating, “No, I do not.”

The fourth victim was subjected to multiple sexual assaults between 2022 and 2023. Jess was accused of making sexual remarks towards her, described as a “high quality” sportsperson, and repeatedly touching her breasts. Jess maintained that he had no interest in sexual interactions and believed his actions had been misconstrued. He expressed regret, saying, “I had absolutely no interest in having sexual interactions with these people at all,” and acknowledged that he had been “familiar towards a line I did not see,” implying a lack of awareness of the boundaries he crossed. Jess also admitted that he wanted to help and support others but recognized that his approach had not been appropriate.

In court, Jess, who wore a University of St Andrews tie, described himself as someone who interacts intensely with people sharing common interests. He explained that he would often immerse himself in helping others, sometimes for hours or even days, driven by a desire to fix problems. Jess also revealed that he has a dark sense of humor, often using double entendres, which may have contributed to misunderstandings. Despite holding a degree in history, Jess struggled to establish a career and instead supported his wife’s teaching career. He admitted to pretending to be a historical researcher and not revealing his unemployment status to friends and family, as he wanted to appear “normal.”

Before sentencing, Sheriff Gregor Murray noted that he had spent more time reviewing Jess’s case than any other in his 14 years of service. Prosecutor Michael Robertson emphasized that the case was not about consent, highlighting the seriousness of the charges. Jess’s defense attorney acknowledged the gravity of the offenses, especially considering Jess’s neurodiversity and previous good character. The sheriff described the charges as “extremely serious” and pointed out that Jess’s conduct posed a risk to others, despite his lack of prior convictions.

Following the conviction, Jess was placed under supervision for one year and registered as a sex offender for an indefinite period. He was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service and was subject to non-harassment orders preventing any contact with the four victims for three years. The sheriff emphasized that each victim was vulnerable and had trusted Jess, a trust that he had egregiously breached. While acknowledging Jess’s remorse and lack of prior offenses, the court recognized that these convictions would have a lasting impact on his life and reputation within the community. The sheriff concluded that, given the circumstances, there was an alternative to imprisonment, but the seriousness of the offenses was clear, and appropriate measures were taken to protect the victims and the public.