LIAM NICOL FROM SHETLAND SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN LERWICK

A young man from Shetland, Liam Nicol, has been legally required to register as a sex offender following a conviction related to a sexual encounter with a minor. The incident occurred at his residence in Lerwick, and the court proceedings took place on a Wednesday at Lerwick Sheriff Court.

During the hearing, Nicol, who resides at 19 Hjaltland Place, was sentenced to perform 120 hours of unpaid community service. This penalty was part of an 18-month supervision order imposed by the court, emphasizing the seriousness of the offence. The incident in question took place on July 8, when Nicol was under the influence of alcohol.

The court was informed that Nicol, who was 18 years old at the time, had been warned by colleagues and friends about engaging in sexual activity with the girl involved, who was under 15 years old. It was noted that she was among a group of young people who had been hanging out at Nicol’s home during lunchtime. The court also clarified that a previous paragraph mentioning additional details was removed at the request of the young girl involved, to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Defense lawyer Tommy Allan stated that Nicol had accepted full responsibility for his actions and recognized the gravity of the offence. Allan highlighted that Nicol had suffered significant social repercussions, including losing his job, and expressed hope that the court’s sentence would serve as a deterrent.

Sheriff Napier described the offence as “very serious,” emphasizing the age difference between Nicol and the minor. He pointed out that Nicol was nearly 19 years old, while the girl was four and a half years younger. The sheriff remarked that although such an age gap might seem minor to older adults, it is significant at that age, underscoring the gravity of the situation in this context.