Court / Sentencing sex offender deferred for second time
SENTENCING a 39-year old man who admitted committing sexual assaults against two teenagers, one aged under 16 at the time, has been further deferred.
John Masterman, of Leaside, Mossbank, previously admitted intentionally or recklessly touching the two girls.
One of the offences, committed against a female teenager who he worked with at a Lerwick restaurant, took place between 1 and 31 August 2018.
The second saw Masterman sexually assault a girl aged under 16 in her family home on various occasions between 1 January and 22 June 2021.
Speaking at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday via videolink from Elgin, sheriff Olga Pasportnikov said that she had read the criminal social justice report but felt she needed more information on Masterman before sentencing him, and requested a psychological report.
Masterman will now appear for sentencing on 19 May.
Sheriff Pasportnikov was standing in for Lerwick’s resident sheriff Ian Cruickshank who said he did not feel he was in a position to pass sentence after Masterman successfully appealed his decision to remand him in custody after hearing the full details of the two charges on 3 March.
Masterman was originally due to be sentenced on 31 March but that date was moved to today (Thursday) following the successful appeal.
Space2face
Space2face Shetland is an independent and confidential service which uses Restorative Justice and the arts to bring those harmed by crime or conflict and those responsible for the harm into communication. We enable everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward.
If you would like to reach out to us, please contact us via e-mail info@space2face.org or mobile 07564 832467.
If you would like to know more, visit our website www.space2face.org, or our Facebook page #space2faceshetland.
The project is also currently fundraising to secure office space in Shetland’s brand-new creativity and wellness centre, The Mission. If you’re interested in getting involved, or making a donation, head over to www.space2face.org/how-you-can-help
