A Perthshire church elder sexually assaulted two pensioners aged 89 and 72, stating the incidents were “just a bit of fun.”
On Monday, Perth Sheriff Court heard how Ronald Allstaff, 73, of The Meadows, Bridge of Earn faces prison for his “predatory” and “manipulative” crimes.
Depute Fiscal Michael Sweeney said Allstaff would visit the elderly ladies to check on their “welfare.”
“The accused then carried out garden duties for the 89-year-old woman but on one occasion he placed his hands on the lady’s breasts and fondled and groped her,” he said.
“He told the woman it was just a bit of fun but she pushed him away and was distressed by his actions.”
The court heard that Allstaff, who is an elder at Dunbarney Parish Church, later carried out a similar sex attack on the same woman when he tried to unclip her bra, but was unable to do so.
Mr Sweeney said the accused then placed his hands on the woman’s breasts on a different occasion but this time she slapped his hands.
The 89-year-old lady then told a friend about the incidents and was physically shaking when describing what had happened.
Mr Sweeney told the court Allstaff also carried out sexual assaults on a 72-year-old woman – often when the lady was bending down and he would approach her from behind and fondle her breasts.
“This woman claimed the accused sexually assaulted her more than 20 times,” Mr Sweeney added.
“This lady said the incidents became a regular occurrence and how Allstaff had asked her about her bra size and if she wore padded bras. He also told her it was all just a bit of fun.”
Allstaff admitted the offences, which took place between April and November last year.
Sheriff William Wood deferred sentence on Allstaff until April 17 for background reports and told him he would be put on the sex offenders’ register when he returns to court.
“Your actions were predatory and manipulative and a custodial sentence is at the forefront of my mind,” he said.
