Court / Man denies serious sexual charges
A SIXTY-seven year old man has gone on trial at Lerwick Sheriff Court accused of sexually assaulting two women on two separate occasions in 2015 and 2018.
John MacLellan, of 5 Glanford Road, Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire, but formerly of Lerwick, denies the two charges of serious sexual assault including penetration which are alleged to have taken place at two different addresses in Lerwick on 20 September 2015 and on 29 July 2018.
The trial before a jury of eight women and seven men is expected to take several days.
After the jury was selected on Monday morning, the court initially heard via video link from the first complainer, who was 18 at the time of the incident, how she was assaulted by the accused at the end of a social evening. The second complainer gave evidence during the afternoon.
The trial continues on Tuesday.
Space2face
Space2face Shetland is an independent and confidential service which uses Restorative Justice and the arts to bring those harmed by crime or conflict and those responsible for the harm into communication. We enable everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward.
If you would like to reach out to us, please contact us via e-mail info@space2face.org or mobile 07564 832467.
If you would like to know more, visit our website www.space2face.org, or our Facebook page #space2faceshetland.
The project is also currently fundraising to secure office space in Shetland’s brand-new creativity and wellness centre, The Mission. If you’re interested in getting involved, or making a donation, head over to www.space2face.org/how-you-can-help
