SHAUN PENDERS FROM LERWICK SHEETLAND GUILTY OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN ABERDEEN AND SHETLAND

A man named Shaun Penders, aged 24, has been convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses involving teenage girls across different locations, including Shetland and Aberdeen. The series of crimes spans several years, beginning with his first known assault in 2015 when he was just 16 years old.

In that initial incident, Penders attacked a young girl outside a public hall in Shetland. The victim, who was a teenager at the time, recounted that Penders appeared to be quite intoxicated during the assault. She described how he began to aggressively grope her while they were outside the venue. Fortunately, she managed to find refuge in a toilet and waited until he left before seeking help. She later revealed that she did not report the incident to the police until 2018, after discovering that Penders was involved in similar abusive behavior towards other girls.

The case took a more disturbing turn in 2019 when Penders raped a 13-year-old girl in Shetland. During the trial, the victim testified that Penders had bought vodka for her, which led to her becoming intoxicated and drifting in and out of consciousness during the assault. This incident further highlighted the predatory nature of Penders' actions and his targeting of very young girls.

In 2022, Penders' offending extended to Aberdeen city centre, where he engaged with two girls aged 13 and 14. He was convicted of raping the 13-year-old girl in a lane while she was also intoxicated. At the time of this incident, Penders was under a sexual offences prevention order that explicitly prohibited him from having contact with individuals under the age of 16. Despite this, he continued to commit offenses involving minors.

In addition to the rape charges, Penders was found guilty of indecently communicating with a child. The court proceedings took place at the High Court in Edinburgh, where Lord Lake sentenced him. The judge described Penders' conduct as "abhorrent" and emphasized the seriousness of his crimes, stating, "You have been found guilty of a number of extremely serious charges, in which it is apparent you have preyed on very young girls for your own sexual gratification."

The victim from the Shetland incident recounted her experience, noting that Penders appeared intoxicated and was aggressive outside a village hall. She managed to hide in a toilet until he left. Her testimony underscored the predatory and violent nature of his actions. The court also heard that Penders was placed on the sex offenders' register, and sentencing has been deferred until November 8 at the High Court in Livingston.