PETER REID ABERDEEN SEX OFFENDER ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE REPEATED ABUSE AND SEX WITH 15-YEAR-OLD
In April 2016, a disturbing case involving Peter Reid, a known sex offender from Aberdeen, drew significant attention as he narrowly avoided imprisonment despite a series of serious allegations and convictions.Over a span of two years, Reid exhibited a pattern of threatening, abusive, and manipulative behavior towards two teenage girls with whom he had been involved in romantic relationships.
His conduct was characterized by an arrogant and domineering attitude towards women, which was evident throughout the court proceedings.
One of the most alarming aspects of Reid’s criminal record involves his sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl he met through the dating app Tinder.
Despite being fully aware of her age, Reid engaged in sexual relations with her, a fact that contributed to his conviction.
During a trial held at Aberdeen Sheriff Court in February, jurors heard harrowing details of Reid’s violent and controlling behavior.
Witnesses described an incident where Reid locked one of his victims outside his residence in his front garden while she was only dressed in her underwear.
Despite her screams and pleas to be let back inside, Reid refused, and when she attempted to re-enter, he slammed her fingers in the door, causing her pain and distress.
Further testimony revealed that Reid had physically assaulted another girl by pulling her to the ground by her hair and kicking her.
In addition, he was convicted of repeatedly banging a different teenager’s head against the floor and making abusive comments throughout their relationship.
These actions painted a picture of a man who used violence and intimidation to exert control over his victims.
Following his conviction, Reid, a former student at Robert Gordon University, appeared once again in court to face sentencing.
The jury found him guilty of two charges of breach of the peace, as well as the serious offence of having sex with a minor.
Sheriff Annella Cowan sentenced Reid to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for three years and ordered him to be under supervision for the same period.
Additionally, she mandated his participation in the Caledonian Project, a program designed for domestic offenders, and the Moving Forward Making Changes Project, aimed at sex offenders.
Reid’s legal representative, advocate David Moggach, argued that his client did not accept his guilt.
He stated, “He does not accept carrying out the actions he has been convicted of.
After having discussions with him, he does accept why and how the jury were able to arrive at the convictions.
He is disgruntled that they did not accept his denials but he does accept why they can arrive at the verdict.” It was also revealed that Reid has been unemployed since a violent incident in a nightclub in 2014, during which part of his ear was bitten off.
Moggach emphasized that Reid would be unable to pay a fine and questioned the severity of his offences, suggesting they did not warrant participation in rehabilitation programs.
However, Sheriff Cowan strongly disagreed, stating, “You have an arrogant and domineering attitude towards women.
You are an intelligent young man with Highers in psychology, sociology, and communication.
These did not do you any good in these circumstances.” The sheriff also highlighted that the jury had clearly decided Reid was aware that his child victim was under the age of consent.
As part of his sentence, Reid was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid community work within the next year.
It is noteworthy that a previous charge of stalking against Reid was dropped and replaced with two charges of breach of the peace.
Several other allegations, including swearing at a woman, threatening to kill her, pushing another woman into a hot bath, denying access to her family, and sending explicit images and messages to women and a child, were also dismissed or amended in the course of the legal proceedings.
Despite the gravity of his actions, Reid’s case remains a stark reminder of the complexities involved in handling sexual and violent offenders in Aberdeen.
