A man who molested a young girl and threatened her with sexual violence has been brought to justice, three decades after the incidents occurred.
John Morrison, 69, admitted a charge of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour towards the girl, starting when she was just nine years old.
Morrison admitted touching the girl, kissing her on the mouth, removing her clothing exposing her breast and uttering a threat of sexual violence.
Fiscal depute Pauline Gair told the court that the accused had been initially “attentive” towards the complainer but that his behaviour soon began to make her uncomfortable.
She explained how Morrison had manipulated the girl into offering to massage him, something that the child felt was “wrong”.
After this Morrison put his hands “all over her body, making her uncomfortable and anxious”.
Offender told child it was a ‘game’
“The accused told her that it was a game but she felt it wasn’t right,” said Mrs Gair.
On a number of occasions Morrison touched the child’s private parts through clothing and once when the pair were alone he made a threat of sexual violence to her and told her she would be able to do nothing.
The incidents, which took place between 1988 and 1991, scared the child and left her with “a knot of fear in her stomach”.
Solicitor Clare Russell, for Morrison, said her client had no criminal record.
Sheriff Sara Matheson was told that a victim impact statement had been submitted.
She deferred sentencing of Morrison to next month for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty assessment.
Morrison, of Abbey Court, Inverness, was placed on the sex offenders register with immediate effect. The eventual length of his registration will be decided at sentencing.
