JAMES TAYLOR OF LERWICK SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON TEENAGE GIRL
A man who followed a 15-year-old girl into a toilet and committed a sexual assault has been sentenced to one year in prison at Lerwick Sheriff Court this week.James Taylor, 39, of Sandveien, Lerwick, previously pleaded guilty to repeatedly grabbing the girl’s breast and kissing her on the mouth during a party held at a bedsit on Union Street on 1st November last year.
During the event, Taylor sat next to the girl and moved closer as the night progressed, repeatedly placing his hand on her thigh.
When she went to the toilet, he followed her, locked the door behind them, and then molested her.
Later, when police detained him, Taylor admitted to touching the girl and asking her to come home with him.
He claimed she told him she was 17, but he later acknowledged that another adult present at the party informed him she was only 15.
Defence lawyer Tommy Allan explained that Taylor, who had been on remand since 25th March awaiting sentencing, had experienced a difficult upbringing and was still coming to terms with past trauma where he had been a victim.
Allan added, “Spending his first time behind bars in the last few weeks has been a serious wake-up for him.” Sheriff Graeme Napier told Taylor that he committed a very serious offence, regardless of the girl’s age, emphasizing that Taylor had made persistent advances even when she was clearly not interested.
The sheriff also highlighted that Taylor seemed unaware of the impact his actions had.
The sheriff reduced the original sentence from 18 months because of Taylor’s guilty plea.
Additionally, Taylor will be placed on the sex offenders register and will be added to a list of individuals considered unsuitable for work involving children.
