INVERNESS MAN IAN SHAND SENTENCED FOR INDECENT ASSAULT ON SCHOOLGIRL
In a case that has shocked the community of Inverness, Ian Shand, a 31-year-old resident of Glendoe Terrace, was sentenced to ten months in prison after being found guilty of indecently assaulting a schoolgirl.The incident, which took place in 2014 at a residence in South Kessock, involved Shand fondling the girl while she was asleep on a sofa.
The court heard that the assault only came to light after Shand himself approached police seeking advice, having received a text message accusing him of being a “rapist.” During the hearing at Inverness Sheriff Court, Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood expressed skepticism about Shand’s explanation that he mistook the girl for an older woman.
The court was informed that the defendant had initially claimed mistaken identity as a defense, but witnesses contradicted his account, emphasizing the physical differences between the girl and any other woman he might have confused her with.
The court was also told that the assault was particularly serious and “nasty,” which led the sheriff to conclude that only a custodial sentence was appropriate.
Prior to sentencing, a background report was deferred, but Sheriff Fleetwood made it clear that he was not convinced by Shand’s attitude towards his crime.
The sheriff criticized Shand for not accepting that he was a sex offender, which influenced the decision to impose a ten-year period on the sex offenders register.
The court also heard that Shand had pleaded guilty to the charge, and the sentence reflected the gravity of the offense.
In his defense, lawyer Duncan Henderson argued that Shand was a first-time offender and that the incident was a single occurrence.
However, Sheriff Fleetwood responded firmly, stating, “The difficulty I have is your client’s attitude.
He is not accepting he is a sexual offender and any therapeutic disposal is predicated on a desire to change.
I have to regard this as a nasty sexual assault on a young girl and only a custodial sentence is appropriate.” Overall, the case underscores the seriousness with which the Inverness court treats sexual offenses, especially those involving vulnerable victims.
Ian Shand’s conviction and subsequent imprisonment serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of such actions within the community.
