Gordon Sanderson, the East Lothian Paedophile, with a history of committing sexual offences who violated a stringent court order for the third instance has managed to avoid being sentenced to prison.
Gordon Sanderson was issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) eight years ago, and he has repeatedly violated the order, resulting in multiple incarcerations for sexual offences involving children.
The 65-year-old individual with deviant tendencies was forced to leave his residence in North Berwick, East Lothian, due to public demonstrations against his presence. He is currently residing in a lodging in Musselburgh.
He attended Edinburgh Sheriff Court for his sentencing on Tuesday after previously admitting to violating the SOPO by entering into a relationship with a lady without obtaining prior clearance from his management unit officer.
The stipulations of the Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) stipulate that offenders are required to adhere to specific rules, which include obtaining authorisation before engaging in romantic relationships with women after their conviction.
Gordon Sanderson, a former employee of East Lothian Council, confessed to not disclosing the information about a woman he was romantically involved with from June 1, 2021, to January 14 of the previous year.
Defence attorney Gillian Law told the court that the social work report was inadequate because it failed to address the most recent violation.
Ms Law requested Sheriff Kenneth Campbell KC to show mercy in this case because “the complainant was fully aware of his history,” as was the one who introduced them.
Sheriff Campbell KC stated that he had reviewed the social work report that morning and identified several regrettable matters. You have been subjected to the conditions of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for a considerable period, and I believe you clearly understand the implications and requirements associated with it.
“I am confident there was a breach, but I do not believe it was intentional or careless on your part.” Based on the circumstances, I believe a jail sentence is not suitable now.
Gordon Sanderson has been subjected to a liberty order restriction, which entails using electronic tagging. He is required to remain confined to his home address from 7 pm to 7 am for six months.
Gordon Sanderson received a prison sentence of 16 months after he was discovered violating the Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) by forming relationships with unsuspecting women and children at a church he had joined in Musselburgh, East Lothian, four years ago.
In addition, he received a six-month jail sentence later that year after confessing to interacting with two teenage schoolgirls during a church excursion to Edinburgh Castle.
Gordon Sanderson, who had offered to drive the church minibus during a family outing to the popular tourist destination, was found to have enticed an 11-year-old girl away from the group when they were visiting the city.
The concerned father thoroughly searched the vicinity and discovered his daughter unaccompanied with Gordon Sanderson at the Regimental Museum of the castle.
The convicted sex offender was observed in the presence of a second girl at his church, engaging in physical contact by holding and dancing with her, even though no music was being played.
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