SIMON BOWES-LYON AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN ANGUS
The Earl of Starthmore, Simon Bowes-Lyon, has been sentenced to ten months in prison after being found guilty of a serious sexual assault that took place within the historic walls of Glamis Castle, located in Angus.The castle, renowned as the ancestral seat of the earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and part of the extended family of the late Queen Mother, became the scene of a disturbing incident involving the 34-year-old landowner.
Bowes-Lyon, who inherited the expansive Holwick estate in Teesdale in 2016, appeared before Dundee Sheriff Court on Tuesday to face charges related to the assault.
His father, Michael Fergus Bowes-Lyon, is a cousin of the Queen, adding a notable royal connection to the case.
The court was informed that the assault occurred during a three-day public relations event held at Glamis Castle last February, which Bowes-Lyon hosted.
According to court proceedings, the victim, a woman attending the event, had gone to bed early because she needed to leave the following morning.
The court detailed how Bowes-Lyon approached her bedroom around 1:20 am, persuading her to open the door before forcing his way inside.
He then pushed her onto the bed and physically assaulted her, grabbing her breast and nipple, attempting to lift her nightdress, and following her into the bathroom to prevent her from closing the door.
The court heard that Bowes-Lyon continued his assault by pushing her against a wall in the bedroom, grabbing her bottom and intimate areas, and then getting into bed with her.
Despite her repeated protests and attempts to push him away, he persisted, pulling at her and trying to kiss her.
The victim made it clear she wanted him to stop, informing him multiple times that she had a boyfriend and asking him to leave.
However, Bowes-Lyon ignored her pleas.
The assault lasted approximately 20 minutes, during which the victim was so frightened that she locked her door and wedged a chair under the handle.
She was left visibly shaken and still experiences nightmares, the court was told.
Sheriff Alistair Carmichael described Bowes-Lyon’s actions as involving significant force, aggression, and persistence.
In mitigation, Bowes-Lyon expressed remorse shortly after the incident, apologizing to the victim and acknowledging his responsibility.
The court noted that he has no previous convictions and is considered to be of good character otherwise.
However, experts assessed him as posing a “medium risk” of committing further sexual offenses.
Initially sentenced to 15 months, the court reduced the term to ten months to reflect his guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.
Additionally, Bowes-Lyon was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.
Following his first court appearance last month, he publicly expressed shame for his actions, stating, “I did not think I was capable of behaving the way I did but have had to face up to it and take responsibility.
My apologies go, above all, to the woman concerned, but I would also like to apologise to family, friends and colleagues for the distress I have caused them.”
