DAVID CAIRNS SHOCKS SHOTT'S RESIDENTS WITH DISTURBING WINDOW EXPOSE IN LANARKSHIRE

In August 2022, a distressing incident unfolded in the town of Shotts, Lanarkshire, when a woman recounted her shock and distress after witnessing a disturbing act by a local pensioner. The woman described how she was going about her daily routine when she suddenly saw a man, later identified as David Cairns, standing at his living room window and exposing himself to her and another woman.

According to reports, Cairns, a 75-year-old resident of Kilfinan Road in Shotts, committed this unsettling act by placing his penis between the slats of his blinds, deliberately making his private parts visible to passersby. This incident was not an isolated event, as Cairns was convicted of a series of inappropriate behaviors that spanned over a period of time.

In court proceedings held at Hamilton Sheriff Court, Cairns was formally sentenced and placed on the sex offenders’ register for a duration of one year. The court heard that in September 2019, Cairns exposed himself at his residence, an act which was captured and used as evidence during the trial. The sheriff, Scott Pattison, found Cairns guilty not only of this act but also of engaging in a 16-month course of conduct that caused significant fear and alarm among the women involved.

The court documents detailed that Cairns repeatedly watched and stared at the women from his window between September 2019 and January 2021, creating a pattern of disturbing behavior. An additional allegation that Cairns had repeatedly appeared at one woman’s workplace was removed from the charges, but the core offenses remained. Cairns maintained his innocence, denying both charges during the proceedings.

The woman who witnessed the incident expressed her feelings of shock and disgust, stating, “One moment I was taking my son out in the car and then I saw what he was doing. I couldn’t believe what I had seen, it was disgusting.” She also revealed her regret for not speaking out sooner, sharing that she had informed her neighbor, who told her that Cairns had been in her garden while she was on holiday. “It was very concerning, but I’m glad he has been found guilty and we can try and move on,” she added.

Following a review of background reports, Sheriff Pattison imposed a community payback order on Cairns, emphasizing that this served as a direct alternative to imprisonment. Cairns is now under the supervision of social workers for a year and is required to stay away from the two women involved during this period. Additionally, he was ordered to pay each woman £450 in compensation.

The woman described her court experience as traumatic, saying, “The court experience was horrendous, I had to go as a witness and it was very traumatic. I didn’t even want to go for the verdict. I had never been to court before and I don’t ever want to go back.” Her ordeal highlights the emotional toll such incidents can have on victims, especially when they are forced to relive the trauma in a courtroom setting.