JAMES GAULT WISHAW PERVERT AND STALKER SENTENCED TO 160 DAYS IN PRISON

In September 2014, James Gault, an elderly man from Wishaw, was sentenced to a prison term of 160 days after being convicted of stalking and indecent behavior that caused significant distress to a female victim in the town centre.

The case was heard at Hamilton Sheriff Court, where it was revealed that Gault, aged 67 and residing on Glencleland Road in Wishaw, had engaged in a series of troubling actions that culminated in a frightening encounter for the woman involved. Gault was found guilty of staring at the complainant and following her through the streets of Wishaw, actions that left her feeling scared, alarmed, and concerned for her personal safety.

The incident took place on August 26 in Main Street, Wishaw, and the court heard detailed accounts of Gault’s threatening and abusive conduct. His behavior was deemed to have caused the woman to experience a state of fear and distress, raising serious concerns about public safety and the conduct of individuals with a history of such offenses.

Further aggravating his case was Gault’s violation of a court-imposed Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which had been issued on November 23, 2010. This order explicitly prohibited him from being in public places or any accessible areas while under the influence of alcohol. Despite this, Gault was found to have breached the order on the same day as the stalking incident.

Gault’s criminal record is extensive, including five convictions for indecent exposure, one for public indecency, and another for breach of probation. His record also includes a conviction for assault, which was aggravated by his status as a convicted sex offender, and a breach of the peace, similarly aggravated by his sex offender status.

His guilty pleas led to a reduction in his original sentence, which was initially 240 days. The court took into account his admissions of guilt when determining the final sentence, resulting in the 160-day jail term that Gault will serve. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the behavior of individuals with prior convictions and the importance of enforcement of court orders designed to protect the public.