An Aberdeen woman has been placed on the sex offenders register after “purring” at a male police officer and then grabbing his groin.
Heather Worrall was in custody at Kittybrewster station regarding an unrelated matter when the incident happened in the early hours of the morning.
The drunken 43-year-old was in a holding cell when she had to be warned about her behaviour for looking a male officer up and down and purring at him.
But Worrall, who is also known by the surnames Beber and Watson, did not learn her lesson and, while at the charge bar, reached out and grabbed the officer’s groin area.
Fiscal depute Emma Petersen told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “During the early hours of May 31 2022, the accused was within Kittybrewster police station in the custody suite regarding an unrelated matter.”
‘Very drunk’
Prior to being booked in, Worrall was placed in a holding cell with a male and a female police officer.
Ms Petersen said: “While in the holding cell, the accused began to display sexualised behaviour towards the male constable, making purring noises towards him while looking him up and down.”
Officers instructed Worrall to stop, which she did.
However, it “became clear” Worrall was intoxicated and the officers noticed a smell of alcohol from her.
She also accepted that she had been drinking.
Ms Petersen told the court: “She was escorted to the charge bar around 1am.
“They were beginning to carry out procedures when the accused moved in front of the male constable, turned towards him and reached her hand over to his groin area and made contact.”
The “shocked” officer “immediately restrained” Worrall and she was later cautioned and charged with the offence.
In reply, she said: “I’m sorry. I was under the influence and didn’t know what I was doing. I do apologise.
“It was the first drink I’d had in quite a while and it really hit me.
“I won’t be drinking again.”
The court was then played CCTV footage of the incident, in which Worrall could be seen positioning herself close to the officer, looking downwards towards his groin area and then reaching out.
‘Deliberate, sexual motive’
The officer quickly knocked her hand away and the female officer then moved in between them.
Worrall, of School Drive, Aberdeen, pled guilty to a charge of sexually assaulting the man by “seizing him on the groin area”.
Defence agent Debbie Wilson said her client was “very drunk” at the time, and had been through issues with her family and her health.
She added: “She was very stressed. She makes no excuses.”
Despite the charge stating her client “seized” the officer’s groin, Mrs Wilson went on: “The footage shows she didn’t grab or seize the groin area, but had put her hand in that direction.”
Mrs Wilson tried to argue Worrall should not be placed on the sex offenders register, despite admitting the sexual offence.
However, Sheriff Graham Buchanan and Ms Petersen were of the view that this was automatic on admitting a charge of sexual assault.
The defence solicitor then said she planned to try to persuade the court to grant an absolute discharge, meaning the offence would not be classed as a conviction and Worrall would face no punishment.
Defence solicitor describes sex assault victim as ‘very sensitive’
Sheriff Buchanan said: “I’m not sure about that. It was quite a deliberate act.
“She looks down at his groin area and then puts her hand across and touches him in that area.
“In the circumstances where, I’ve been told, shortly beforehand, she was making purring noises towards the officer and was told to stop and did.
“It seems clear enough there’s a deliberate, sexual motive involved in touching his private parts in that way.”
Mrs Wilson retorted: “All I’m saying is the reaction of the male officer is only to seize her wrist. He doesn’t seem to be jumping back.”
She also described the officer as “very sensitive”.
The sheriff commented: “It’s completely unacceptable behaviour.”
Mrs Wilson added: “It’s inappropriate.”
Sheriff Buchanan replied: “It’s not just inappropriate, it’s completely unacceptable.”
He deferred sentence on Worrall until next month for background reports to be prepared.
He added: “I do make the usual open court statement that the accused’s plea of guilty today to this charge triggers the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.”
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