SCOTT SINCLAIR ARRESTED IN ARBROATH AND ELGIN FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON MORAY VICTIMS

In August 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving a man named Scott Sinclair, who was convicted of sexually assaulting two individuals with Down's syndrome in Moray. Sinclair, aged 41 at the time, was residing in Elgin but later moved to Arbroath. His actions led to a significant legal response, culminating in a five-year prison sentence.

Sinclair was found guilty by a jury after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. Despite his defense team’s plea for leniency, a judge dismissed their arguments, emphasizing that incarceration was unavoidable given the severity of the crimes. Lord Glennie, presiding over the case, stated, “I cannot regard this as a case where you could have reasonably believed they were consenting to the sexual acts.”

Sinclair, who operated a DJ and karaoke business, had previously been involved in events organized for people with learning difficulties. During the trial, he denied three charges of sexual assault. However, the evidence presented was compelling enough to secure a conviction. Sinclair was found guilty of causing a woman, who was incapable of giving consent, to engage in sexual activity by persuading her to remove her clothes and get into a bed. Additionally, he was convicted of sexually assaulting a man by kissing him, touching him, and performing oral sex on him. The third conviction involved touching the private parts of the woman during an incident at an address in Moray in August 2014.

Further evidence included a series of text messages between Sinclair and the man, who had his phone saved under the name “Djscot.” In these messages, Sinclair inquired whether the man was having sex with the woman that night. The man responded that he was not allowed to have sex, citing care support staff restrictions, but Sinclair dismissed this, saying, “Nowt to do with them.” Sinclair also asked about the alcohol in the man’s home, which was reported to include whisky, wine, and cider. He indicated he would be visiting the man’s residence.

Footage was shown during the trial of the man, aged 36, giving evidence in a different court. He recounted Sinclair drinking wine and instructing him to perform acts he was uncomfortable with. The man admitted, “I didn’t want to do it but I did. He told me to do it,” and expressed regret, saying, “Not acceptable what he did.” He described Sinclair asking if the woman was ready “to do something” and revealed that Sinclair wanted him to have sex with her, which he refused out of fear. The man stated, “I was talking to her but I didn’t do anything to her,” noting that she was naked in the bed.

Additionally, police interviews with the woman revealed her feelings about Sinclair’s conduct. She stated, “I didn’t like Scott very much,” and recounted Sinclair telling her to remove her clothes, which she did not want to do. Her testimony, along with the evidence, painted a clear picture of the abuse she endured. Sinclair’s actions have led to his placement on the sex offenders register indefinitely, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the impact on his victims.