A grieving pensioner who repeatedly groped a nightclub promoter on Union Street has been handed a supervision order and unpaid work.
Andrew Hunter sexually assaulted the woman after turning to drink following the sudden death of his partner.
The 67-year-old grabbed the 20-year-old’s bum, then continued to loiter in the area before returning and grabbing her a second time.
Hunter previously admitted a charge of sexual assault and has now returned to the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court to be sentenced.
Defence agent Debbie Ginniver said her client had never previously come to the attention of police or the courts.
Sheriff Graham Buchanan said: “I’ve read the reports which detail the various issues which have arisen in his life in the recent past.
“The report recommends supervision to address the various issues and unpaid work.”
Addressing Hunter, of Victoria Road, Aberdeen, directly, the sheriff said: “It’s quite sad really to see somebody of your age who has never previously appeared in court appearing on a charge of this nature.
“But as I have said, I understand the issues which appear to have arisen relatively recently in your life and of course your excessive consumption of alcohol.”
As an alternative to a prison sentence, Sheriff Buchanan imposed a 12-month supervision order and 120 hours of unpaid work.
Accused ‘wasn’t leaving her alone’
He also made Hunter subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act.
Fiscal depute Dylan Middleton previously told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the woman was working on Union Street as a promoter for a city centre nightclub, handing out flyers to revellers.
Between 11-11.30pm on April 2 she felt a hand grope her buttocks and spun round to confront the person and saw Hunter.
They made eye contact for a couple of seconds while Hunter remained silent before walking away.
The woman immediately informed a colleague of what had happened.
At 11.35pm, she saw Hunter standing at a nearby junction and took a video of him to capture an image of his face.
Hunter had been ‘struggling quite significantly’
A short time later, Hunter approached the woman from behind again and asked: “Did you like that?”
Mr Middleton said this left the woman feeling “fearful” of Hunter and she began to worry because he “wasn’t leaving her alone”.
Hunter then walked off again returned a third time at 12.15am and groped her buttocks in the same manner.
This time the woman attempted to follow him.
Hunter continued to walk away “at pace”, but police were flagged down and the woman was able to point him out to them.
At that earlier hearing, Ms Ginniver said: “Prior to this, in July 2021, Mr Hunter’s long term partner suffered a stroke and died.
“Mr Hunter found her within their home address and, because of that, he has been struggling quite significantly.
Accused ‘feels he’s let society down’
“He advises he didn’t previously consume alcohol regularly. Since his partner passed away, due to struggling with his grief, he has taken to drinking quite large quantities of alcohol on a daily basis.”
Ms Ginniver explained on the day in question Hunter had attended a leaving party and had been drinking since around 2pm.
She added: “He is incredibly ashamed of his behaviour and is incredibly remorseful.
“He understands he’s not just let himself down and his family, and also feels he’s let society down as a man who reached 67 and had never been in trouble before.
“He didn’t know the complainer and can’t explain his actions on that day.”
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