LYNDON SANDERS FROM BROXBURN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN WEST LOTHIAN

In April 2014, a disturbing incident unfolded involving Lyndon Sanders, a 50-year-old man from Broxburn, West Lothian, who engaged in inappropriate and illegal conduct towards a teenage girl. The case came to light after Sanders attempted to solicit sexual favors from a 16-year-old girl by offering her a sum of three pounds. The young girl, who was still in her teens and attending school, was shocked and appalled by Sanders’ proposition, which was made in a bid to persuade her to engage in sexual activity with him.

Following this incident, the girl reported Sanders’ behavior to the authorities, providing details of his inappropriate conduct. Her courage in coming forward led to his arrest and subsequent charges. Sanders was accused of breaching the peace through his actions, which included making sexual advances and inappropriate remarks towards the girl at his residence in Broxburn last September. During the court proceedings, Sanders denied behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, claiming that his actions did not constitute criminal behavior.

However, the evidence presented at Livingston Sheriff Court painted a different picture. The young girl was compelled to give evidence against Sanders, describing his conduct as provocative. The court found Sanders guilty of the charges after considering the evidence and testimonies. The presiding judge, Sheriff Susan Craig, expressed her concern that Sanders appeared to be unaware of the severity and wrongfulness of his actions. She noted that Sanders acknowledged making a proposition to the girl involving money and sex, but seemed to lack full remorse or understanding of the harm caused.

In her sentencing remarks, Sheriff Craig highlighted her disapproval of Sanders’ attitude, especially in light of background reports that suggested he did not take responsibility for his behavior. Instead, he appeared to justify his actions by claiming the girl’s behavior was provocative, an assertion that the judge found troubling. She emphasized that Sanders, as a 50-year-old man, should have recognized the inappropriateness of his conduct towards a minor.

As part of his punishment, Sanders was ordered to be added to the sex offenders register. He received a sentence of three years of social work supervision under a community payback order. Additionally, he was mandated to participate in a compulsory community intervention program specifically designed for sex offenders. The court also imposed restrictions, including a ban on unsupervised contact with any child under 16 and a prohibition on contacting the victim again. Sheriff Craig stressed the importance of the supervision program, which aims to help Sanders acknowledge the criminal nature of his behavior and to promote behavioral change to reduce the risk to the public.

Sheriff Craig warned Sanders that failure to comply with the court’s orders could result in his recall to court and potential imprisonment, underscoring the seriousness with which the justice system views such offenses.