Court / Man who admitted historic sexual assault charge spared jail sentence

A MAN from Burra who previously pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teenage girl nine and a half years ago has been ordered to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work and has been put on the sex offenders register for nine months.

Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that Laurence Manson had shown genuine remorse for his offending that took place on 13 May 2013.

The court heard previously how Manson, then 25 years old, sexually assaulted the 14-year-old at the end of a party at an address in the village of Skeld.

Manson, of Norbister, admitted sexually touching the girl “intentionally or recklessly” and repeatedly placing his hands on her thighs and rubbing her inner thigh and with his hand after his request for a kiss was refused.

During a hearing last month, the court heard how the girl finally escaped the situation and hid outside the house.

The incident only came to light when, eight years later, she spoke to a counsellor about what had happened and then went on to make a formal complaint to police.

Speaking in mitigation on Wednesday, defence solicitor Martin Morrow said the incident happened almost a decade ago and pointed out that his client had otherwise led a “blameless life”.

He said Manson had shown genuine remorse for his actions and has been seeking professional help off his own back. He is a father and the breadwinner for his family, he added.

The solicitor said there was no doubt that this was a serious matter and went on by asking the court to spare his client a custodial sentence.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said it was clear to him that the 35-year-old had “demonstrated insight into the gravity of this case” and was satisfied that he was someone at a low risk of re-offending.

Given that Manson was a first offender, he imposed a community payback order as an alternative to jail.

Manson has 12 months to complete the 225 hours of unpaid work. A review of the community payback order will take place in three months.