A 44-year-old Stocketgaet Paedophile former guizer, Gareth Geddes, who groped a woman’s buttocks at Up-Helly-A’ has been placed under monitoring for six months.
Gareth Geddes, of Stocketgaet, Lerwick, entered a guilty plea to the charge at Lerwick Sheriff Court in April and was subsequently registered as a sex offender.
During today’s court session (Wednesday), defence attorney Tommy Allan stated that a “highly detailed” criminal justice report had been prepared in advance of sentencing.
He stated that his client, Gareth Geddes, behaved on “impulse” during the fire festival, but did not do so for “sexual gratification.”
Mr. Allan informed the court that Gareth Geddes expressed remorse upon recognising that the victim had been offended.
In April, the court heard that Gareth Geddes apologised to the victim’s partner, then again the subsequent day.
“You can see from the report that he is genuinely sorry,” Mr Allan said.
The report concluded that Gareth Geddes was considered low risk of reoffending.
Mr Allan also said Gareth Geddes had learned lessons from the incident.
The solicitor said his client had been unable to take part in some activities with his children, due to having been placed on the sex offenders register.
And he said the publicity from the case had affected his ability to do community work.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said the case “clearly had an effect” on Gareth Geddes and there was little reason to believe his remorse was “anything other than genuine”.
Gareth Geddes will be under supervision for six months but social workers can apply to have this reduced, should they see progress in him.
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