A “creepy” support worker from Kinross-shire, who sexually assaulted a teenage girl and a vulnerable young woman in homeless shelters, has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
Kenneth Thompson, 65, targeted his first victim when she was 17, subjecting her to unwanted hugs at “support sessions”, tapping her back, rubbing her back and her bottom.
The teenager told others at the centre – Holy Trinity House, near Stirling Castle – she felt “creeped out” by him.
She said: “That creep touched mine and my pal’s arses.”
Prosecutor Bernadette Cuthbertson told Stirling Sheriff Court the centre had a “complete hands off” policy and there should have been absolutely no physical contact between Thompson and service users, including giving hugs.
As a result of what Thompson had done, his victim had to be “calmed”
by staff and the incident, on April 25 2016, was reported to police.
Thompson was interviewed at Falkirk police station but released without charge because of insufficient corroboration.
Seven years later, however, he struck again.
Touched woman through rip in jeans
At about 3pm on February 2 this year, he sexually assaulted a second person – a 23-year-old woman who had attended at the premises of The Bridge Project in Stirling for a pre-arranged meeting with him.
Ms Cuthbertson said: “He asked her to remove her jacket.
“She felt uneasy about this.
“They sat down and ten minutes later he reached over and touched her left leg, targeting a rip in her jeans.”
Ms Cuthbertson said the victim then “froze” as Thompson “inserted his finger inside her jeans to rub her skin”.
“This was on her thigh area above her knee”, the depute fiscal added.
“It lasted approximately 10 seconds, before he removed his hand.”
The victim “rushed out” of the meeting, and police were called.
Ms Cuthbertson added: “Mr Thompson is employed as a support worker and he provides care and advice to vulnerable persons residing in supported accommodation.”
Curfew considered
Thompson, of Powmill, Kinross-shire, pled guilty to two charges of sexual assault.
Sheriff Mark O’Hanlon deferred sentence for reports, including an assessment of Thompson’s suitability for a restriction of liberty order as a direct alternative to jail, until May 17.
He released Thompson on bail and placed him on the Sex Offenders Register.
Sarah McIlwham, defending, reserved mitigation.
Leaving court, Thompson refused to comment.
A spokesperson for Wheatley Care, which runs The Bridge Project, said after the case: “This person no longer works for the organisation.”
Stirling Council, which owns Holy Trinity House, said it would be “inappropriate” to comment.
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