A hotel manager, William Parsons, the Ross-shire sex offender, who engaged in sexual assault against an intoxicated guest, who the police had delivered, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.
William Parsons, a 71-year-old individual, committed an act of assault against an individual whose identity could not be disclosed due to legal restrictions. The incident occurred at the Royal Hotel in Tain, Ross-shire, in November 2021.
The High Court in Livingston was informed that the man, who was severely inebriated, was brought to the hotel by police officials due to his lack of accommodation.
Officers observed the 38-year-old exhibiting signs of impaired speech and a vacant expression in his eyes when they apprehended him.
The individual was recorded on closed-circuit television engaging in conversation with Parsons in the pub just before midnight.
William Parsons is observed escorting the guest, who is holding a tray containing eight shots of vodka for himself and a whisky for the accused, to an upper room where the guest was subjected to sexual abuse.
Judge Lord Young was informed that Parsons’s victim was drunk and so incapable of permitting the act.
Upon realising that he had been subjected to abuse, the guy promptly informed the police. Consequently, William Parsons, who had no prior criminal record, was apprehended and subsequently admitted guilt to a charge of sexual assault.
William Parsons attended his sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday.
Frances Connor, the defence lawyer, informed Lord Young that her client was fully cognisant that he had disappointed his family and business associates through his actions.
Nevertheless, Lord Young informed PWilliam Parsons, also from Tain, that he must be incarcerated for his deeds.
While delivering the punishment, he informed William Parsons that the seriousness of the offence necessitates a prison term.
“The individual you harmed was severely inebriated and in a precarious state.”
“Instead of providing proper care for him as a guest in your hotel, you exploited him while he was intoxicated.”
The court’s verdict will result in an incarceration sentence of 18 months.
During a previous court session, it was revealed that William Parsons held a partial ownership stake in the hotel. Additionally, he served as the director of a firm that possessed hotels in the vicinity.
According to Prosecutor Alan Parfary, the hotel’s managing director stated that the person making the complaint was drunk and had a strong smell of marijuana upon arrival.
At the hotel bar, the guest requested a double vodka and coke from the barman, who agreed to serve it while the passenger consumed it in his room.
In court, it was shown that the complainer initiated a conversation with the accused and sat down next to him in the bar area.
Approximately five minutes later, the managing director observed the individual engaging in the act of smoking cannabis and promptly requested that they cease this behaviour.
Subsequently, he returned to the bar and requested four generous servings of vodka, a double portion of whisky, and a can of Coke.
According to Mr Parfary, the person who complained couldn’t find his room key. As a result, the accused person, who had a master key that could open all the hotel rooms, went with him to room seven to help him get inside.
He stated that the complainer’s recollection of events in the room was “unclear” due to his intoxicated state. Still, later forensic evidence was presented that supported the claim that William Parsons had sexually attacked him.
According to Mr Parfery, the victim reported waking up in the hotel room at 2 am with concerns that he had experienced non-consensual sexual activity.
He contacted a friend on Facebook Messenger and said, “Contact the authorities”.
Upon arrival at the hotel at 2.45 am, the officers discovered the victim in his hotel room exhibiting signs of severe intoxication, distress, and restlessness.
According to Edith Forrest, the lawyer representing Parson then, Mr. William Parsons mistakenly believed that the person making the complaint could consent. However, he now acknowledges that due to his state of intoxication, he was unable to give proper consent.
The individual requested the court to show mercy towards the person who committed the offence for the first time and urged Lord Young to issue a sentence that did not involve imprisonment.
She stated: “This individual has successfully established a substantial enterprise without any misconduct allegations against him.”
Nevertheless, Lord Young opted to incarcerate William Parsons. In addition, he imposed a ten-year registration on the Sex Offenders Register for him.
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