Inverness sex offender who touched up teen while babysitting awaits fate
A 40-year-old Inverness sex offender has had his sentence again deferred by a sheriff who is considering imposing a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Phillip Moir, of Sinclair Park, had been due to be dealt with at Inverness Sheriff Court after a background report had been prepared.
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But Sheriff Gary Aitken told defence solicitor Marc Dickson that apart from the recommendation for a rehabilitation programme being suggested in the report, he was also considering the SHPO.
He agreed to give Mr Dickson time to consider any representation he wanted to make and Moir will re-appear on November 22.
At an earlier hearing, the court was told that Moir immediately apologised via a text message after he touched up a teenage girl as she lay on her bed five years ago.
However it was two years later that it was reported to the police and Moir was charged with the sex offence of touching her intimately when he was babysitting for a family at an Inverness property on an unspecified date in 2019.
Fiscal depute Pauline Gair told Sheriff Sara Matheson, who presided at the time, that Moir then sent a message saying he shouldn't have done it but that he enjoyed it.
He added: "R u ok? I shouldn't have done what I did. I am really sorry. I just realised how inappropriate it was. I am such a fool. Really sorry. Please forgive me."
Police were informed when the victim told a teacher, Mrs Gair added.
Moir was immediately placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register, the length of which will be determined at sentencing. His bail was continued.
