BIRTHDAY PARTY GROPER AVOIDS JAIL AFTER SEX ASSAULTS ON WOMEN
Scott Wilson-Moody, aged 25, admitted to four counts of sexual assault during a hearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.During his sentencing appearance this week, Wilson-Moody was noted to have expressed significant remorse for his conduct, which influenced the court to avoid jail time over the Christmas period.
He had been a guest at a party on September 20, where he assaulted four women by actions including slapping their buttocks, squeezing them, or pressing his genitals against them.
Approximately ten minutes later, he approached another woman who was leaning on a pool table with her hands.
Prosecutor Findlay Shields described how she noticed him approaching from behind, and she felt his hands on her waist.
He then used both hands to pull her close and pressed his groin against her back, leaving her in a state of shock.
Around the same time, Wilson-Moody targeted a third woman who was moving aside to allow him passage, touching her buttocks as he moved past.
Mr.
Shields stated that during the evening, each time their paths crossed, Wilson-Moody would either touch, slap, or grab the women’s buttocks.
Later, he again grabbed and squeezed the same woman’s buttocks, causing her to become upset and seek refuge in the toilets.
A fourth woman was assaulted as Wilson-Moody passed her on the stairs, where he slapped her buttock with his open hand, causing her discomfort and confusion.
The incident was reported to police, and upon reviewing their stories, all victims realised they had been touched similarly by the accused.
Representing Wilson-Moody, solicitor Michael Burnett acknowledged his client’s alcohol issues, emphasising that this was not an excuse.
He added that Wilson-Moody was genuinely sorry the following day and apologised to most of the victims.
The sheriff, Lesley Johnstone, stated that the severity of the offences warranted a prison sentence but decided against imprisoning him, given his display of remorse and insight.
She attributed the offending to excessive alcohol consumption that night.
Instead, she sentenced Wilson-Moody to a Community Payback Order with 12 months of supervision and 160 hours of unpaid work.
The sheriff explained that supervision was intended to prevent recurrence.
She clarified that this order was an alternative to custody, warning that breaching it could result in a custodial sentence.
Wilson-Moody was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a year, subject to its conditions.
