Love letter causes sex offender entry
10 Oct 08
Questions over sex offence content of "breach of peace" letter
The scope of the sex offenders register has come into focus in the wake of a case where a man was placed on it due to the terms of a letter he wrote to a neighbour.
At Perth Sheriff Court yesterday John Williamson (33) of Blairgowrie had admitted a breach of the peace by writing to his 21-year-old neighbour, a single mother, that he had a crush on her and though he was not some stalker, after seeing her earlier that day he was "so horny he couldn't help himself" and was "gagging for" her. The woman was upset and called the police.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said he was satisfied that there was a significant sexual element in the letter and placed Williamson on the sex offenders register while deferring sentence for reports.
Williamson's solicitor Donald Elliot said the offence was "not at the higher end of misbehaviour" and he had simply used inappropriate language to ask the woman out..
Another lawyer, human rights solicitor John Scott, last night questioned whether Williamson posed the sort of threat the register was designed for, having identified himself in advance.