Court / Man admits historic sexual assault offence
SENTENCING a man from Burra who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teenage girl nine years ago has been deferred until the end of November to allow time for the preparation of criminal justice and restriction of liberty reports.
Laurance John Manson, 34, with an address of Virdalea, Bridge-End, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
Details of how Manson, who was 25 when the offence occurred, assaulted the girl – who was 14 at the time – at the end of a party at an address in Skeld, were narrated by procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie.
The court heard how Manson had joined a party on the evening on 12 May 2013 held at a family home while the parents were away.
Manson admitted sexually touching the girl “intentionally or recklessly” and repeatedly placing his hands on her thighs and rub her inner thigh and with his hand after his request for a kiss was refused.
The court heard how the girl finally escaped the situation and hid outside the house.
The incident only came to light when, eight years later, she spoke to a counsellor about what had happened and then went on to make a formal complaint to police.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank deferred sentence until 23 November, when the court will also hear Manson’s lawyer speaking in mitigation.
If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.
For victims of general crime:
Victim Support Shetland
Phone: 01595744524 or 0800 1601985
Web: https://victimsupport.scot/locations/victim-support-shetland/
Email: VictimSupportHighlandsIslands@victimsupportsco.org.uk
For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:
Space2face
Phone: 07564 832467
Web: https://www.space2face.org
Email: info@space2face.org
For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:
Shetland Women’s Aid
Phone: 01595 692070
Web: https://www.shetlandwa.org
Email: office@shetlandwa.org
The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)
Phone: 01595 744402 or 08088 010302
Web: https://www.compasscentre.org
Email: contact@compasscentre.org
For anyone affected by substance use:
Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network
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Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075791869200
Email: recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk
Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership
Phone: 01595 743060 or 07342 077789
Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot
Substance Use Recovery Service
Phone: 01595 743006
