FIFE MAN CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TEENAGE GIRL AT HOUSE PARTY

A 57-year-old man from Fife, Alexander Miller, was convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a house party. He admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the girl, who was 15 years old, during the event held in October of the previous year. The court learned that the girl was so distressed that she "froze" during the assault, which she believed lasted about seven or eight minutes as she lay in a bed with two friends. One of the teens woke up and told Miller to leave the room, after which he exited, leaving the girl curled up and crying. Prior to the incident, Miller had purchased alcohol, spending £60 for a group of about a dozen minors aged between 13 and 16. During the night, he made inappropriate advances toward some of the teens, including hugging one girl and touching her breast, as well as kissing another on the cheek and placing a hand on her thigh. The court also heard that before the gathering, Miller had engaged in other inappropriate behaviors, such as touching a woman’s breasts and buttocks at an allotment and asking her to look at his penis. Miller appeared in Dunfermline Sheriff Court to admit five charges under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. His defense counsel stated that he consumed a lot of alcohol during the incidents. Sheriff Grant McCulloch condemned Miller’s behavior as "outrageous" and emphasized that "drink is not an excuse," highlighting the presence of young children at the event and stressing the importance of respecting others. Miller received a sentence of potential custodial imprisonment but was released on bail until September 29 for the preparation of background reports. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register.