Craig Leiper Sexual Abuser in Inverkeithing

A Fife man has been convicted of sexually assaulting his frail elderly mother at a care home.

The incidents occurred in a communal space within the facility, and one took place during a religious ceremony.

The victim, in her eighties, has since died, and the acts were witnessed by care personnel, a church minister, and a visitor.

Although there was no immediate intervention, concerns grew over the nature of Leiper’s behavior, leading to police reports and his exclusion from the premises.

Leiper, aged 54, of Hill Street in Inverkeithing, claimed he was distressed by the care his mother received and that she had asked for massages due to discomfort.

During a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, he was found guilty of multiple charges of sexual assault committed between June 14 and July 8 last year at Henderson House in Dalgety Bay.

The court heard that he repeatedly touched his mother over her clothing and kissed her on her head and body without her consent.

Care worker Donna Shaw, 67, testified that she saw Leiper massaging his mother’s legs in a lounge area where residents and visitors gathered.

She described witnessing him moving his hand between her legs inappropriately and was shocked by the act.

She reported her observations to a nurse and explained she didn’t directly intervene because she was overwhelmed and unsure.

Shaw also noted that Leiper had been calling his mother incessantly, describing his actions as almost obsessive.

Another incident involved him touching her chest area, which provoked concern from church minister Andrea Fraser during a service, prompting her to alert the home’s management.

Leiper responded to the allegations by asserting his mother had lived with him before her illness, and he had cared for her since he was 12.

He denied any inappropriate touching, claiming the accusations were false and blaming a bias from staff and others involved.

Prosecutor Azrah Yousaf suggested Leiper derived sexual gratification from his conduct in public, while the defense argued there was a witch-hunt against him.

The sheriff, Neil Kinnear, convicted Leiper and expressed uncertainty about his motives, noting possibilities ranging from over-protection to controlling or sexual behaviors.

Leiper was placed on the sex offenders register pending sentencing scheduled for July 30.

Henderson House describes itself as providing high-quality residential, nursing, dementia, and respite care, fostering a safe and friendly environment supported by dedicated staff.