An international businessman who admitted historic sex offences in Lochaber has been ordered to pay his victim £10,000 in compensation.
Rupert Valpy of Saint-André-et-Appelles, Gironde, in France, appeared at Fort William Sheriff Court yesterday after sentence was deferred at an earlier hearing for social work reports.
Mr Valpy, 68, admitted lewd and indecent behaviour towards a child at a house on the Ardnamurchan peninsula between February 22, 2003 and February 21, 2006.
His solicitor Gerry Sweeney told the court that there has been no repeat of the offences since.
He said: “These scored the lowest level in this category of offending and finances are available so that he can make a compensation order.
“A conclusion is also sought by the victim, so a compensation order as well as a fine would be an authentic attempt towards restitution.
“That figure would be quite substantial,” Mr Sweeney added.
Valpy, who was also previously banned from entering the Ardnamurchan peninsula, has a BSc in Law and Economics from the University of Southampton and qualified as an accountant with leading firm, PricewaterhouseCooopers, in London.
He has also worked in property development for a real estate agency based in Merignas, south west France.
Sheriff William Murray QC told Valpy yesterday: “I have listened carefully to what your solicitor has said and have also read the Criminal Justice Department’s social work report.
“I have also read a very poignant statement from the victim who is 15.
“You have accepted responsibility for your actions which were carried out through clothing.
“In the public interest, I must impose a penalty in a severe way and you will pay compensation of £10,000 to the victim.
“A fine of £3,000 is also imposed and you will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years from today’s date.”
Valpy was given three months to pay the money and was told that a fines enforcement order will be put in place to ensure that it is paid.
