AARON WATT'S SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN PERTH: EX-INSTRUCTOR JAILED FOR GROSS VIOLATION NEAR DUNKELD
A man named Aaron Watt, who previously worked as an instructor at an outdoor activities centre near Dunkeld, has been sentenced to prison following a disturbing incident of sexual assault that took place in Perth.The assault occurred after a Christmas night out, during which Watt invited a sleeping house guest back to his home in James Street, Perth, and committed a serious sexual offence while the victim was unconscious.
The incident was brought to court’s attention when the victim, a man in his 20s, recounted the harrowing experience.
The court heard that Watt, 24 years old at the time, was employed at the Dalguise Activities Centre near Dunkeld, a popular outdoor education facility.
On December 16, 2022, Watt was out celebrating Christmas with a large group of friends, including the victim.
The evening involved a meal followed by visits to various pubs and clubs in the city centre of Perth.
At around 3 a.m., Watt extended an invitation to the victim to return to his residence, which was conveniently located just a short walk from the last pub they visited.
The group arrived at Watt’s home, where they found one man asleep on a sofa and Watt’s girlfriend in the spare room.
According to the court, Watt offered his own bedroom to the victim, explaining that he intended to join his girlfriend in the spare room.
The victim, feeling tired, got into bed and fell asleep under the covers.
However, the situation took a sinister turn shortly after 5 a.m.
when the victim was awakened by the sensation of a hand inside his underwear.
The court described how the victim, overwhelmed with fear, lay motionless and kept his eyes closed, pretending to be asleep in an attempt to avoid further harm.
It was only when he felt Watt’s stubble that he recognized who was assaulting him.
Watt proceeded to perform sexual acts on the victim using his hand and mouth for approximately 15 minutes.
Throughout this ordeal, the victim remained passive, feigning sleep to avoid confrontation.
Following the assault, the victim quickly pulled up his clothing and turned onto his side, facing the wall.
Watt returned to the room about five minutes later, dressed in a T-shirt, and then climbed into bed, falling asleep and snoring.
Seizing the opportunity, the victim left the house shortly thereafter.
He contacted his mother at around 5:40 a.m., becoming hysterical as he recounted what had happened.
The court was informed that DNA evidence, specifically saliva from Watt, was found on the victim’s body, corroborating the victim’s account of the assault.
During the court proceedings, Watt’s solicitor, Linda Clark, emphasized that her client had no prior convictions and was in a relationship with his girlfriend, who had been supportive throughout the process.
She also stated that Watt had little memory of the events of that night, acknowledging that this was not an excuse but a factor to consider.
Watt had not consumed alcohol since the incident and expressed remorse and embarrassment about his actions and the subsequent court appearance.
Initially, social workers recommended that Watt, as a first-time offender, should be fined for his conduct.
However, Sheriff Alison McKay described the assault as a “gross violation” and made it clear that a community sentence would be inappropriate given the severity of the offence.
The sheriff highlighted the impact on the victim, citing a victim impact statement that painted a very sad picture of the emotional trauma endured.
After considering all the evidence, Sheriff McKay sentenced Watt to 15 months in prison.
Additionally, Watt will be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years.
The judge expressed her surprise that a financial penalty was suggested in the background report, emphasizing the seriousness of Watt’s actions and the breach of trust involved in the offence.
The case underscores the gravity of sexual assault and the importance of holding offenders accountable, especially when the victim was vulnerable and unable to consent at the time of the attack.
