WILLIAM MCLEOD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AT DUNFERMLINE BUS STATION

A disturbing incident unfolded at Dunfermline Bus Station involving a 16-year-old girl who was subjected to a sexual assault by a man who was heavily intoxicated. The perpetrator, William McLeod, aged 45 and a resident of Dunfermline, has since been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment, as well as being registered on the sex offenders' register.

On the day of the incident, the young girl, described as particularly vulnerable, was waiting at the bus station with a friend. It was during this seemingly routine moment that McLeod approached her, initiating unwanted and inappropriate contact. The assault left the girl deeply traumatized, with lasting emotional effects. McLeod, who resides on Whirlbut Crescent, appeared before Dunfermline Sheriff Court to face sentencing after admitting to the charges.

The court heard that on January 29, McLeod engaged in a series of sexual misconducts against the girl at Dunfermline Bus Station. His actions included placing his hand on her neck, repeatedly kissing her on the face, touching her back, and making suggestive remarks. The assault escalated when he seized her buttocks and touched her cheek, actions that caused significant distress to the victim. During the incident, McLeod also shouted and swore at a female bus driver who was working at the station, directing abusive remarks towards her.

Prosecutor Alistair McDermid told the court that McLeod had initially gone to Dunfermline Police Station to complain about not being served in a local pub at around 6 pm. Just fifteen minutes later, at approximately 6:15 pm, he approached the girl and asked her, “What age are you?” He then made comments about her appearance, calling her “stunning” and “pretty.” Without consent, he touched her back, grabbed her buttock for about five seconds, kissed her, and touched her cheek. The girl was left extremely upset by the encounter, and her well-being has been significantly affected by the ordeal.

Adding to the troubling behavior, a female bus driver witnessed McLeod urinating in the station with his genitals exposed. When she confronted him, he responded with a vulgar insult and made further abusive sexual comments towards her. These actions compounded the seriousness of his misconduct.

Defense lawyer James Moncrieff argued that McLeod, under the influence of alcohol, had made unwelcome advances towards the girl and that his behavior could be perceived as overly familiar or social in nature. He suggested that McLeod’s actions were a misunderstanding rather than deliberate sexual assault. However, Sheriff Charles Macnair expressed strong disbelief at these claims, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The sheriff pointed out that McLeod’s characterization of his conduct as “flirty” was entirely inappropriate, especially considering the victim’s age and the context.

Sheriff Macnair stated, “This was a vulnerable girl aged 16 who was at the bus station going about her normal day. You assaulted her in a sexual manner.” He further remarked, “How you can describe that behavior as ‘flirty’ towards a girl who is 16, as opposed to your age of 45, beggars belief.”

In light of the evidence and the seriousness of the offenses, the sheriff sentenced William McLeod to 11 months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender, reflecting the gravity of his misconduct and the need for ongoing monitoring to protect the community.