JADEN MILNE FROM CLACKMANNAN ESCAPES JAIL AFTER PREDATORY BEHAVIOR TOWARD YOUNG WOMEN IN SCOTLAND

A young man from Clackmannan, Jaden Milne, who engaged in a series of disturbing and predatory acts over nearly a year, has narrowly avoided imprisonment after a sheriff determined that he would be at risk if placed in custody. Milne, a 21-year-old film studies student, was accused of targeting four females aged between 11 and 19, engaging in actions that included slapping, grabbing, and inappropriate touching of their buttocks. His actions were described in court as both sinister and predatory, leaving some of his victims visibly terrified and distressed.

The incidents took place at various locations across Scotland, including bus stops, rural pathways, outside banks, and retail stores. The first reported incident occurred on the evening of June 21 last year, at approximately 7:20 pm, when a 19-year-old woman was waiting alone for a bus on Alloa Road in Clackmannan. According to prosecutor James Moncrieff, she was listening to music when she was suddenly startled by Milne, who walked past her, reached out, and grabbed her left buttock before continuing on his way.

Less than a week later, Milne targeted a 12-year-old girl walking along a remote rural path heading towards Clackmannan from Alloa. The girl noticed Milne acting suspiciously, and suddenly, she felt a hand strike her buttocks. Reacting instinctively, she lashed out with her elbow, hitting him, which caused him to run away. Fortunately, she was quick-thinking enough to record his fleeing figure on her phone. A few minutes afterward, she saw him following her again, which prompted her to run to a nearby friend's house and contact her mother. Her mother uploaded the images she had captured to Facebook, leading to recognition of Milne as the attacker and subsequent police involvement.

Milne's pattern of predatory behavior continued four months later when he approached a 16-year-old girl outside the Thistles Centre in Stirling. The court heard that she felt someone cup her bottom, and upon realizing she was outside the Royal Bank of Scotland, she entered the bank to seek help. CCTV footage confirmed that Milne had sneaked up behind her in broad daylight at 1:36 pm.

The final incident involved an 11-year-old girl in Poundland, Alloa, on May 7 this year around 3 pm. She was browsing phone cases when she felt a hand grabbing her buttocks. The young girl was extremely shaken by the unexpected assault. Shop staff witnessed the incident, intervened to stop Milne from leaving, checked CCTV footage, and obtained an image of him. Police were called, and Milne was arrested shortly afterward.

Milne pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault. His solicitor, Charlotte Watt, acknowledged his porn addiction and pleaded for leniency, emphasizing that he had already served a week on remand, which she described as a harrowing experience for him. She also noted that he had discontinued his studies in TV and film in Glasgow.

During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff Maryam Labaki described Milne’s conduct as exhibiting a “sinister pattern of predatory behavior” towards young women and girls. After reviewing background reports, she decided against sending him to prison, instead imposing a 12-month restriction of liberty order. This included an electronic curfew from 8 pm to 7 am and 150 hours of unpaid community service. Additionally, Milne was placed under social work supervision for three years. The sheriff concluded by stating that she believed Milne had certain vulnerabilities that would make him particularly vulnerable in a custodial setting, which influenced her decision to avoid incarceration.