STONEHAVEN HOUSING OFFICER RECEIVES WARNING FOR INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS AND PHYSICAL CONDUCT

A sheltered housing officer from Stonehaven, Raymond Matthew, has received a formal warning after making inappropriate and sexually charged comments to three female colleagues during a training session. The incidents occurred while he was delivering a Moving and Handling training course outside his official employment on August 10, 2022. It was reported that Mr. Matthew told a woman identified as AA that her “bum was pert because she went to the gym”. Additionally, he demonstrated a manoeuvre by placing his hands around AA’s neck in a strangling motion, which left a red mark. He also made a suggestive comment about how it is the “best position a man can get to motorboat their partner” while demonstrating a technique. Mr. Matthew further made comments asking a woman to “think long and hard, just how you like your men,” and claimed that a third person at a previous session recognized her as someone who “had shagged their sister”. These comments caused emotional harm to the victims. The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) investigated and found that Mr. Matthew's conduct, which included “sexually inappropriate comments” and “inappropriate physical contact”, impaired his fitness to practice. The panel noted that his comments were intimidating and threatening, despite claims they were made in a humorous context. Mr. Matthew was deemed to lack insight, regret, or apology regarding his actions. Consequently, the SSSC issued a 12-month warning to him. The Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson acknowledged the decision. The incident is considered a breach of trust and professional standards, causing distress among his colleagues.