DANIEL HUNTER FROM EDINBURGH ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL OFFENSES IN KILWINNING

A man from Edinburgh, Daniel Hunter, has narrowly avoided imprisonment after being convicted of serious sexual offenses committed in Kilwinning. The case was heard at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, where Hunter, aged 33 and now residing on Murrayburn Grove in Edinburgh, faced charges related to disturbing acts involving children.

Between November 2019 and July 2020, Hunter was found guilty of physically assaulting a three-year-old boy. The court heard that he had grabbed the young child by the body, lifted him into the air, and then forcefully threw him to the ground, causing injury. This violent act was part of a series of disturbing behaviors that marked his criminal record.

In addition to the assault, Hunter was convicted of engaging in sexual activities in the presence of minors. Specifically, he was found to have touched the private parts of a 13-year-old boy and performed a sexual act on himself in front of him, during the period from January to July 2020. The court also established that Hunter had committed similar sexual acts in front of another child, aged between eight and nine, during the same timeframe.

There was also a separate charge involving an alleged sexual assault on a girl aged between 13 and 15. The accusations included running his hands down her back onto her buttocks, as well as touching her chest and seizing her breast. However, the jury found this particular charge not proven, meaning there was insufficient evidence to convict Hunter of that offense.

During the sentencing hearing, Hunter’s defense solicitor, Ashley Kane, requested leniency, suggesting that Hunter was willing to accept a community-based disposal. Kane stated, “Mr Hunter would consent to any community-based disposal my lady would see fit. I would simply ask to grant the order. It would need an order of three years.”

Sheriff Nicola Patrick acknowledged the seriousness of the offenses but also considered Hunter’s limited criminal record. She stated, “I have listened very carefully to everything said on your behalf and in the detailed report. There is no question the offences meet the threshold for custody. Having taken account of everything, including your limited record, I am satisfied there is an alternative, but be clear this order will be at the upper end.”

As a result, Hunter was sentenced to a three-year community payback order, which includes supervision and the requirement to complete 300 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register for the same period and mandated to participate in the Moving Forward Making Changes program, designed to address sexual offending against children.

Furthermore, Hunter must adhere to a curfew, remaining at his Edinburgh residence from 7pm to 7am each night, and will be fitted with an electronic tag for ten months. The sheriff warned that any breach of these conditions would result in him returning to court for further proceedings.