Probation for lawyer who sought under-age sex
26 Jan 07
Prison "not the only option" for shamed solicitor
A 43-year-old Glasgow lawyer who admitted a string of indecency offences has been spared prison.
Ian Donnelly, who worked for personal injury firm Lloyd Green before resigning, had pleaded guilty to breach of the peace by asking a prostitute to arrange sex with a mother and her daughter, who he wanted to be under 11 years old, and attending when he thought arrangements had been made. He had also been found to have 320 indecent images involving young girls on his PC at home.
Yesterday Sheriff Alistair Noble at Glasgow Sheriff Court put Donnelly on probation for three years, with conditions that he perform 180 hours of community service and undertake counselling. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for three years.
The sheriff said prison was not the only option in this case. Ian Duguid QC for Donnelly told the court that Donnelly could not fully explain his behaviour but appreciated his wrongdoing and realised the impact on his victims.
Donnelly's case will be considered by the Law Societty of Scotland. He is not automatically struck off as a solicitor unless sentenced to two years or more.