Lonely shepherd who groped women will be given advice on ‘appropriate sexual behaviour’

A lonely shepherd who repeatedly groped young women was spared jail so that social workers can teach him manners.

Malcolm Michie was placed under supervision for three years, during which social workers will give him guidance on “appropriate sexual behaviour” after a sheriff said he seemed to have no idea why what he had done was wrong.

Michie, 47, was found guilty in August of a series of sexual assaults committed as he collected feed from a farmers’ merchants.

The shepherd, who lives alone in a rural cottage, has never been in a long-term relationship and was a regular visitor to the store.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard that over a four-year period, the farm worker let his hands wander over three women as they handed him bags of sheep nuts.

Michie, of Farmestoun Cottage, Kilmahog, Perthshire, denied groping any women but was found guilty after summary trial.

The incidents took place over a period of nearly four years, between May 2010 and January 2014.

Sheriff William Gilchirst placed Michie under social work supervision for three years, and ordered that his name be kept on the sex offenders register for the same period.