Hawick: Pensioner who sexually assaulted constable is fined

HAWICK: PENSIONER WHO SEXUALLY ASSAULTED CONSTABLE IS FINED

A pensioner who sexually assaulted a constable during a drunken struggle outside Hawick Police Station has been ordered to pay a total of £570 and placed on the sex offenders register for five years.

The 72-year-old, of Laing Terrace, Hawick, reached out to grab one of the officer’s genitals while being restrained in March last year – and then asked him if he would like him to touch his private parts.

He admitted to two other charges of police assault and a further charge of threatening or abusive behaviour at the station and at Borders General Hospital.

Court proceedings revealed that the incident began around 3.50pm on March 7 last year when a taxi driver arrived at Hawick Police Station seeking help with an intoxicated male in his vehicle.

The driver had picked him up from a local pub but couldn't get him to leave the car, prompting officers to assist.

When one officer tried to take Lyden’s wallet to identify him, he retaliated by trying to strike him, which also happened with another officer.

Attempts to speak to Lyden failed due to his incoherence, and an ambulance was called, arriving at 4.30pm.

During the process of transferring him onto an ambulance trolley, Lyden, who was abusive and struggling, reached out and grabbed an officer.

Sheriff Peter Anderson described Lyden's behaviour as "disgraceful".

Lyden was fined £400 plus a £20 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £150 in compensation to the police constable he sexually assaulted.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for five years.