An elderly Arbroath paedophile will be supervised after breaking a strict court order by inviting a young family and their primary school-age son to his holiday home.
Convicted predator James Hutchison admitted the breach took place between August and September 2020.
Hutchison, 68, of Ladyloan in Arbroath, had encouraged a relationship with a “vulnerable” family and suggested they could stay together at his caravan in the north-east of Scotland.
The family had helped the pensioner with his shopping during the first coronavirus lockdown, delivering messages to his home, completely unaware of Hutchison ‘s offending history or court order.
The offender was fully aware the terms of his sexual offences order prohibited him from unsupervised contact with children aged 17 and under.
On Monday at Dundee Sheriff Court, he was placed under supervision for six months as a direct alternative to prison time.
Sheriff Gregor Murray accepted there was no significant sexual element to Hutchison’s invitation and noted he had been of good behaviour.
“This offence took place two years ago now,” the sheriff said.
“There’s no prospect of you having contact with the child again.”
He had previously warned a custodial sentence was “likely” because of the “undertones” around the offending.
No unsupervised contact with child
Hutchison had been convicted of lewd and libidinous behaviour in 1988, before the sexual offences notification act came into force.
He was placed under the new restrictions in September 2000.
He had four previous breach convictions.
At a previous hearing, depute fiscal Lora Aspolatova said: “Hutchison suggested to the witness he and his son should go on holiday to his caravan in Banff.
“The witness is clear Hutchison had no unsupervised contact with the child.
“During the pandemic he and his son had dropped off shopping to Hutchison.
“When asked by police, the child was able to tell them the accused ‘drove a buggy’.
“Police attended Hutchison’s home and arrested him for breaching a sexual offences order.
“He was cautioned and made no reply.”
