WILLIAM CARTER FROM LOCHGELLY CAUGHT IN DUNFERMLINE BUS STATION INCIDENT

In November 2018, a disturbing incident unfolded at Dunfermline town centre involving a 17-year-old youth and a 70-year-old man named William Carter, who hails from Paul Street, Lochgelly. The young individual was waiting at the bus station to meet a friend, seated on a bench and listening to music, when Carter approached him in an unsolicited and inappropriate manner.

According to reports, Carter began to pester the teenager, who initially tried to ignore his advances. Despite this, Carter persisted and then made a highly inappropriate request, asking the youth for oral sex. The incident took place during lunchtime at the Dunfermline bus station located on Queen Anne Street, and it was serious enough to lead to Carter's arrest.

William Carter appeared before Dunfermline Sheriff Court to face charges. He admitted that on the 11th of August, at the bus station, he directed sexual verbal communication towards a youth without his consent and made indecent and sexual comments. The court heard that the incident was a case of random contact, with the victim not knowing Carter beforehand.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia provided details of the event, explaining that the young man had arranged to meet a friend at the bus station. While waiting and listening to music, he was approached by Carter, who asked if he was 'okay.' The teenager responded affirmatively. Carter then stood nearby, looking at the youth’s phone and inquiring about the sites he was viewing, which were social media pages. The conversation took a more disturbing turn when Carter asked, “Do you like boys or girls?”

When a photo of a male appeared on the youth’s phone, Carter commented, “Do you think he’s good looking?” The teenager, trying to avoid further interaction, attempted to ignore Carter. However, Carter then made an explicit proposition, asking, “Do you want to give me a gobble?” The young man firmly declined, and Carter walked away.

Witnesses at the scene observed Carter leaving and noticed the distressed state of the teenager, who appeared to be crying. A woman nearby approached him, inquiring if he was okay. The youth explained that Carter had propositioned him for sex, visibly shaken and upset by the encounter. Subsequently, Carter was seen boarding a bus, and the young victim went to Dunfermline police station. There, he was able to show officers a photo he had taken of Carter on his phone.

Initially, Carter denied any wrongdoing, claiming he only “had a squint at the boy’s phone.” However, he later confessed to the police, stating, “I asked him for a gobble. It was stupid. I’m remorseful. I don’t know why I did it.”

Following the court proceedings, Sheriff Craig McSherry ordered that Carter be placed on the sex offenders’ register. A sentencing date has been set for January 9th, when further legal actions will be determined.