GREIG YORKE FROM CARNOUSTIE ESCAPES JAIL AFTER VILE SEX OFFENCE IN ANGUS

Greig Yorke, a former military serviceman and amputee from Carnoustie, narrowly avoided imprisonment after being convicted of a deeply disturbing sex offence that was described as “utterly vile” by the sheriff presiding over his case.

Yorke, aged 44, who previously served with the Royal Engineers in Bosnia, now lives with the consequences of a serious injury sustained in an incident in Angus. The injury, which resulted in the loss of his limb, was caused by an assault in a pub in Arbroath in June 2013, followed by a hit-and-run incident while he was walking home. These traumatic events have left him with post-traumatic stress disorder and reliance on disability benefits.

The criminal case against Yorke was initiated after he admitted to a summary complaint at his residence in April 2016. The charges included coercing a 70-year-old woman into viewing indecent images of him, sending her a private photograph, and engaging in sexually explicit messaging. The details of the case revealed a pattern of manipulative and inappropriate behavior directed towards the elderly woman, which caused significant concern and distress.

During the court proceedings, Yorke’s solicitor explained that his client was heavily intoxicated at the time of the offences and expressed genuine remorse for his actions. Despite the severity of the allegations, the sheriff, Derek Reekie, opted for a community-based sentence rather than imprisonment. Yorke was sentenced to a three-year community order that mandated his participation in the Tay Project sex offender treatment program. Additionally, the court imposed strict control measures, including bans on contact with known offenders, restrictions on internet usage, and monitoring of electronic devices to prevent further misconduct.

The sheriff acknowledged the disturbing nature of Yorke’s actions and the difficulty in comprehending the severity of his conduct. However, due to legal constraints on sentencing and the circumstances surrounding his case, he was spared from jail time. The decision underscores the complex balance courts must strike between punishment, rehabilitation, and public safety in cases involving serious sexual offences.