Cowdenbeath pet shopkeeper admits sexually assaulting customer

A shopkeeper sexually assaulted a female customer who came into his High Street pet store.

The woman was shocked when Mark Beveridge stuck his hand down her jeans and underwear.

Beveridge, 28, of Rae Street, Cowdenbeath, admitted that on September 25 at J&M Pet Supplies, High Street, Cowdenbeath, he sexually assaulted the woman by placing his hand under her clothing and touched her buttocks.

At Dunfermline Sheriff Court, depute fiscal Ruaraidh Ferguson said Beveridge was working at the shop where he is a partner when the offence occurred.

Defence solicitor Robert Hunter said his client had initially been “in denial” but now admitted the incident was intentional.

Sheriff Charles Macnair had concerns about Beveridge’s previous denials that it was a deliberate act and telling a social worker his hand had been over her clothing.

The sheriff told him: “Because you didn’t tell the truth, I’m going to get another report.”

Beveridge will be sentenced on August 26.