ELGIN MAN GOT DRUNK AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED A POLICE OFFICER, PLACED ON SEX REGISTER
An Elgin man named William Coghill has been placed on the sex offenders register following a reckless incident where he drunkenly mistook a police officer for a strip-a-gram.William Coghill, aged 64, confessed to sexually assaulting a female police officer during a routine check at Elgin’s Ionic Bar earlier this year.
During the court session, Coghill appeared wearing a bright tartan waistcoat and seemed confused about the proceedings, shaking his head as he left the dock.
His defense lawyer, Grant Daglish, explained that Coghill was "embarrassed and emotional" and was apologetic about his conduct.
He described Coghill as being "mortified by his actions and unable to explain them," adding that it was "foolish." The incident took place on June 10, 2023, when Coghill was out for the evening with his wife and had been drinking at the bar.
According to the hearing, Coghill, who was visibly intoxicated, engaged in inappropriate behavior by squeezing a female police officer by the buttocks.
He claimed he "thought she was a stripper".
The officer turned to confront him, and Coghill was recorded saying, "I thought you were a stripper." The court heard that he was under the influence, stumbling and slurring his words during the incident.
After being escorted out of the bar, Coghill apologized, stating, "It was drunken and stupid." Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov sentenced him with a 12-month supervision order and mandated that he register as a sex offender for 12 months.
She did not comment further during the sentencing.
The court documented Coghill's address as Murdoch’s Wynd, Elgin.
