DUMBARTON AMPUTEE PATRICK BARNES SEXUALLY ASSAULTS 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN CHARITY SHOP

In a disturbing incident that took place in Dumbarton, Patrick Barnes, a 36-year-old man from Risk Street, found himself in court after a serious sexual assault involving a young girl. The incident occurred on September 4 in the Salvation Army charity shop located on Dumbarton's High Street, where Barnes was accused of inappropriately touching a 13-year-old girl by grabbing her buttocks over her clothing.

During the court proceedings at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week, Barnes admitted to the charge of sexual assault. The court was informed that he had seized the girl in a manner that caused her fear and alarm, a matter that the judge described as a serious offense. Despite the gravity of the case, Barnes’s previous personal circumstances were taken into account, leading Sheriff Simon Pender to opt for a non-custodial sentence.

In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff Pender emphasized the seriousness of the assault, stating, “This is a serious matter involving a sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl causing her fear and alarm.” However, he also noted that Barnes’s background and circumstances warranted an alternative to imprisonment, which was a narrow decision.

As part of his sentence, Barnes was ordered to adhere to a restriction of liberty order, which requires him to remain within his home between 7pm and 7am daily for the next five months. Additionally, he was mandated to pay the young girl £500 in compensation for the distress caused. The sheriff warned Barnes that failure to comply with the compensation order could result in a prison sentence, citing his previous failures to follow court directives.

Furthermore, Barnes was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of five years, marking a significant legal consequence for his actions. The case highlights ongoing concerns about sexual offenses in public spaces and the importance of judicial measures to protect vulnerable individuals in the community.