BARRY WARD FROM DUNDEE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON CHILDREN IN DUNDEE AND ETHIEBEATON PARK
In a recent court case held at Dundee Sheriff Court, Barry Ward, a resident of Seaforth Crescent in Dundee, was found guilty of multiple charges related to the sexual assault of two young children.The incidents occurred over a period spanning from August 2016 to May of the following year, during which Ward engaged in inappropriate and disturbing behavior towards the children.
Following the allegations, Ward was immediately placed on the sex offenders register for a duration of ten years, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the potential risk he poses to the community.
The court proceedings revealed that Ward, aged 39, had initially denied the accusations, claiming that he was “shocked” and “stunned” by the allegations made against him.
During his testimony, Ward expressed that he felt his life had been “changed forever,” asserting that he had never intended to harm anyone and that he was a caring individual.
The case came to light after one of the children confided in their parents, describing Ward as “creepy” and expressing discomfort about his behavior.
The police investigation uncovered that Ward had engaged in inappropriate touching of the first child by placing his hand on the child's leg and touching them inappropriately while in his car.
Further incidents took place at a McDonald's restaurant located at Ethiebeaton Park, where Ward was observed rubbing the child's leg, placing his hand around the child's waist, and kissing the child on the cheek.
Additional inappropriate contact was reported at an address within Dundee, where Ward again touched the child inappropriately and kissed them on the forehead.
In addition to the first child's allegations, Ward was also convicted of sexually assaulting a second child during the same period.
The evidence showed that he had again rubbed the child's leg with his hand, further demonstrating a pattern of predatory behavior.
During the trial, Ward was visibly emotional and fought back tears as he gave his account.
He stated, “I was totally shocked and stunned when the police arrived.
I just felt my life had been turned upside down.
I’ve never done anything to hurt anyone.
I’ve always been a very caring person.
From that day my life has been changed forever.” However, Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown dismissed Ward’s testimony as lacking credibility, emphasizing that his account did not align with the evidence presented.
As a result, she sentenced him to nine months in prison, underscoring the seriousness of his offenses and the need to protect vulnerable children in Dundee and the surrounding areas.
