DUNFERMLINE SEX OFFENDER BACK IN THE DOCK
February 2026: A serial sex offender, who previously avoided punishment for targeting young women in frightening incidents, has walked free from court again.Steven Boyd has left victims terrified with his disturbing behaviour but has now been admonished for a second time after a string of offending in Dunfermline.
In his most recent crime, 42-year-old Boyd, already on the sex offenders register, left a 16-year-old female in tears and shaking with fear.
She was waiting for a bus home at 9.30pm when Boyd sat down next to her, asking about her age and whether she was single, Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard.
Boyd, of Westwood Place, Dunfermline, admitted that on 6th December at Dunfermline bus station, Queen Anne Street, he caused a fear or alarm to a girl then aged 16 years by sitting in close proximity to her, turning his body towards her and making inappropriate remarks to her.\nThe crime had a significant sexual element.
The court was told the victim had travelled by bus from Edinburgh to Dunfermline.
At 9.30pm she was waiting for her next bus when Boyd, a complete stranger, sat down next to her.
He told her his name and put his hand out towards the girl but she did not shake it.
He continued to talk asking for her name and age.
She told him she was 16 and he said he was 42.
Boyd then told her: "Youre quite big for 16" and commented on how she was dressed.
He asked if she was single and whether she would go out with him.
"Probably Not" she said and when Boyd asked the reason, she told him it was because she was just 16.
Boyd turned around so that his legs were facing the victim and she was feeling so uncomfortable that she got up and walked away.
A bus station worker had been watching CCTV and approached the young woman asking if she was okay.
She was very upset and began crying.
The girl continued on her journey home but said she was "shaking and feeling physically sick" on the bus, added the depute.
Boyd was arrested and told police: "I was trying to get myself a girlfriend".
Defence solicitor Lucy Martin said her client was "a very vulnerable individual with a learning disability" She added: "He wants to form a relationship but doesn't know how to approach it in an appropriate way." She conceded, "It appears that a pattern is forming which is very serious in nature." Sheriff Krista Johnston told Boyd: "I've read all about you and it's worrying to me to think that you will behave like this in the community." She admonished him and ordered him to pay £500 compensation to the victim.
Boyd was put on the sex offenders register again for five years.
In October, Boyd was admonished for a series of similar offences, where he repeatedly targeted young women at their work and on a bus.
On three separate occasions in 2024, he harassed his victims and in one case committed a sexual assault.
February 2025 A Dunfermline sex offender, who previously avoided punishment for targeting young women in frightening incidents, has struck again.
Steven Boyd has left victims terrified with his disturbing behaviour but in October he was admonished after admitting a string of offending.
Then last month 42-year-old Boyd, currently on the sex offenders register for five years, left a 16-year-old in tears and shaking with fear.
He was waiting for a bus home at 9.30pm when Boyd sat down next to her, asking about her age and whether she was single, Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard.
Boyd, of Westwood Place, Dunfermline, admitted that on December 6 at Dunfermline bus station, Queen Anne Street, he caused a fear or alarm to a girl then aged 16 years by sitting in close proximity to her, turning his body towards her and making inappropriate remarks to her.
The crime had a significant sexual element.
Depute fiscal Catherine Stevenson said the victim had travelled by bus from Edinburgh to Dunfermline.
At 9.30pm she was waiting for her next bus when Boyd, a complete stranger, sat down next to her.
He told her his name and put his hand out towards the girl but she did not shake it.
He continued to talk asking for her name and age.
She told him she was 16 and he said he was 42.
Boyd then told her: “You’re quite big for 16” and commented on how she was dressed.
He asked if she was single and whether she would go out with him.
“Probably not,” she said and when Boyd asked the reason, she told him it was because she was just 16.
Boyd turned around so that his legs were facing the victim and she was feeling so uncomfortable that she got up and walked away.
A bus station worker had been watching CCTV and approached the young woman asking if she was okay.
She was very upset and began crying.
The girl continued on her journey home but said she was “shaking and feeling physically sick” on the bus, added the depute.
Police were called and Boyd told officers that he did know she was just 16.
Boyd was arrested and told police: “I was trying to get myself a girlfriend.” Sheriff Krista Johnston deferred sentencing until February 11 for reports.
In October, Boyd was admonished for a series of similar offences, where he repeatedly targeted young women at their work and on a bus.
On three separate occasions in 2024, he harassed his victims and in one case committed a sexual assault.
He admitted that on June 30 at River Island, Kingsgate shopping centre, he approached a female shop worker, blew kisses at her, asked if she was in a relationship, made inappropriate comments to her and stood staring at her.
On August 24 at another store in the Kingsgate, he sexually assaulted a young woman by taking hold of her hand and kissing it.
On October 22, during a bus journey between Halbeath Road and Dunfermline bus station he approached a female, sat next to her when there were multiple other seats available, asked her personal questions, asked if she had a boyfriend and later attended at her place of work, Primark, causing her fear and alarm.
The court was told that Boyd has learning difficulties and is under the care of Fife Council for 56 hours each week.
In October, Sheriff Mark O’Hanlon noted that there had been no further offending and admonished Boyd.
He was put him on the sex offenders register for five years.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— A 42-year-old man, who repeatedly targeted young women at their work and on a bus, has been put on the sex offenders register for five years.
On three separate occasions Steven Boyd, of Westwood Place, Dunfermline, pestered young women and in one case committed a sexual assault.
Despite that he was admonished when he appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing for offences which all occurred last year.
Boyd admitted that on June 30 at River Island, Kingsgate shopping centre, he approached a female shop worker, blew kisses at her, asked if she was in a relationship, made inappropriate comments to her and stood staring at her.
On August 24 at another store in the Kingsgate, he sexually assaulted a young woman by taking hold of her hand and kissing it.
On October 22, during a bus journey between Halbeath Road and Dunfermline bus station he approached a female, sat next to her when there were multiple other seats available, asked her personal questions, asked if she had a boyfriend and later attended at her place of work, Primark, causing her fear and alarm.
The court was told that Boyd had regularly attended at the Kingsgate Centre where he was a familiar face to some workers.
He has learning difficulties and is under the care of Fife Council for a set number of hours each week.
The sexual assault involved a 19-year-old female, who was working alone in the shop at the time.
Boyd approached her, put his hand out as if to shake hands and, when the worker offered her hand back, he began kissing it.
She pulled away her hand and was left feeling “very uncomfortable” by his actions.
The River Island incident involved a 21-year-old female who was working at the shop when she was approached by Boyd, who introduced himself and began following her around.
He said she was “beautiful” and began blowing kisses towards her.
He asked her if she had a boyfriend and stood staring at her for a time, leaving her feeling uncomfortable.
The bus incident involved a 19-year-old female who was a passenger on a service bus in the early afternoon when Boyd got on and ignoring all the empty seats around, sat down next to her.
He began asking her name, was she single and would her boyfriend be jealous of her speaking to him.
When the bus arrived in Dunfermline, the young woman called her mum to tell her what had happened.
Later, as she worked in the Primark store, she saw Boyd, told her manager and the police were contacted.
Sentencing on Boyd has been deferred on numerous occasions to see what the situation is at the end of the compulsion order.
A compulsion order is imposed by a court when an offender commits an offence that is punishable by imprisonment but is found to have a mental disorder.
Sheriff Mark O’Hanlon noted that there had been no further offending and admonished Boyd.
However, he put him on the sex offenders register for five years.
—————————————————————————————————— PREVIOUS ARTICLE ——————————————————————————————————- A 41-year-old man from Dunfermline, Steven Boyd, has once again appeared in court facing serious allegations related to his repeated targeting of young women in public spaces, including retail stores and on public transportation.
His actions have raised concerns about his ongoing behavior despite previous interventions and his recent placement on the sex offenders register.
Boyd’s pattern of offending includes three separate incidents where he approached and harassed women, with one case escalating to a sexual assault.
Despite having spent time in residential facilities and hospitals due to his mental health issues, Boyd has recently been seen in the community, where he continued to prey on females.
His latest appearance in Dunfermline Sheriff Court was for sentencing, but the hearing was postponed once again to a later date.
On June 30th, Boyd admitted to approaching a female shop worker at River Island, located within the Kingsgate shopping center.
During this encounter, he blew kisses at her, inquired about her relationship status, made inappropriate comments, and stared at her in a manner that caused her discomfort.
This incident was part of a series of troubling behaviors that have marked his recent conduct.
Further, on August 24th, at another store within the same shopping center, Boyd sexually assaulted a young woman by taking her hand and kissing it without her consent.
The court heard that this act left the victim feeling very uncomfortable, and she was able to record Boyd leaving the shop on her phone before alerting security personnel.
The third incident occurred on October 22nd during a bus journey between Halbeath Road and Dunfermline bus station.
Boyd approached a female passenger, sat next to her despite other available seats, and began asking personal questions, including whether she had a boyfriend.
His behavior caused her to feel alarmed, prompting her to contact her mother during the journey.
Later, Boyd attended her workplace at Primark, which further heightened her fear and distress.
Depute fiscal Annie Henderson provided additional context, revealing that Boyd is a familiar face at the Kingsgate Centre, where he often visits.
She explained that he has learning difficulties and is under the care of Fife Council for a set number of hours each week.
The sexual assault involved a 19-year-old female employee working alone at the time.
Boyd approached her, extended his hand as if to shake, and then began kissing her hand when she reciprocated.
She pulled away, feeling very uncomfortable, and chose not to challenge him due to his size.
She recorded him leaving the shop on her phone before reporting the incident to security.
Regarding the incident at River Island, Boyd approached a 21-year-old female employee, introduced himself, and followed her around the store.
He complimented her, calling her “beautiful,” and blew kisses in her direction.
He also asked if she had a boyfriend and stared at her for a prolonged period, which made her feel uneasy.
The bus incident involved a 19-year-old woman who was a passenger when Boyd boarded the bus.
Ignoring all the empty seats, he sat next to her and began asking personal questions about her relationship status and whether her boyfriend would be jealous.
The young woman, feeling uncomfortable, called her mother to report what had happened.
Later, she saw Boyd again at her workplace in Primark, informed her manager, and the police were contacted.
Defense solicitor Amy Allan highlighted that Boyd suffers from significant mental health difficulties.
She explained that he has been in and out of residential and hospital facilities and has recently been in the community.
She also noted that Boyd is currently under a court-imposed compulsion order, which is set to expire next month.
Ms.
Allan criticized the health board’s plan not to provide further support after the order ends, describing it as “astonishing” and “ridiculous.” She added that Boyd finds the court process challenging to cope with.
Sheriff Susan Duff decided to postpone the sentencing further until April 2nd to assess Boyd’s situation at the conclusion of his current order.
She also reminded Boyd that he remains prohibited from entering the Kingsgate Centre.
A court-imposed compulsion order is a legal measure used when an offender with a mental disorder commits an offense punishable by imprisonment.
Instead of jail, the court may order mental health treatment, which is the case here.
