JAMES YOUNGSON FROM STONEHAVEN JAILED FOR REPEATEDLY VIOLATING COURT ORDER NEAR CHILDREN

In a recent case heard at Stonehaven Sheriff Court, 71-year-old James Youngson was sentenced to eight months in prison after being found guilty of breaching a court order for the fourth time. The order explicitly prohibited him from approaching or being near children, yet he continued to violate these restrictions, demonstrating a troubling disregard for legal boundaries and the safety of minors.

Youngson's repeated infractions have raised serious concerns among local authorities and law enforcement officials. The court was informed that he had previously admitted to breaching the same order, which was initially imposed following his conviction for the sexual abuse of a five-year-old girl in 2005. At that time, he received a sentence of three years' probation, a measure intended to monitor and rehabilitate him while protecting the community.

Despite the probation and the court's warnings, Youngson's behavior did not change. Earlier this month, police officers observed him near a sweet stall at Stonehaven's annual Feein Market in June. Witnesses reported that he appeared 'fixated' on a group of young boys, raising alarm among those present. Additionally, he was seen watching a group of female dancers, whose ages ranged from four to 25, further indicating his inappropriate interest in minors.

Law enforcement officers, aware of the court's restrictions, approached Youngson during their patrol. They confirmed that he was in breach of the court order, which specifically barred him from visiting recreational areas frequented by children under 16. This intervention was a direct response to the ongoing concerns about his behavior and the potential risk he posed to the community.

During the proceedings, Youngson's defense attorney, Dennis Daun, argued that his client had not offended before reaching the age of 65. He emphasized that Youngson's time in custody since his arrest in June was his first experience of detention and suggested that it had served as a wake-up call. Mr. Daun stated, 'It has had a salutary effect on him and it has brought it home to him that he will not breach the orders.'

However, Sheriff Peter Hammond was not convinced by these assurances. He warned Youngson that a custodial sentence was likely given the circumstances. The sheriff pointed out that the reports before the court clearly indicated that Youngson had learned nothing from previous community disposals, underscoring the seriousness of his repeated violations.

It was also revealed that the first breach of the court order occurred three years prior, when Youngson was admonished for breaching restrictions at Mineralwell Park in Stonehaven. This pattern of behavior highlights a troubling persistence in disregarding court-imposed restrictions designed to safeguard children and the community at large.