Assaulted a woman indecently as she slept.

Sex Offender Ordered to Carry Out Unpaid Work for Indecent Assault

Iain Charlton, 36, from Tripwell, Brough, Whalsay, was sentenced at Lerwick Sheriff Court yesterday for indecently assaulting a woman while she slept. Charlton was placed on a community payback order with a supervision requirement for 18 months and will remain on the sex offenders list for the duration of the order.

Charlton admitted to rubbing his hands up the victim's back and unhooking her bra while she slept at an address on St Magnus Street. He had been at a party and was interested in the woman, but his interest was not reciprocated.

The woman, upon becoming aware of Charlton's actions, felt unable to speak. She rolled out of bed and landed on the floor before running out of the room for help.

Defense agent Tommy Allan stated that Charlton had struggled to come to terms with the incident, although he accepted responsibility for his actions. Allan argued that the incident was not prolonged and that Charlton left the woman alone once she made it clear that his actions were not consensual.

Sheriff Marion MacDonald warned Charlton, "This must have been a very upsetting incident for the woman in this case."