A Fife lorry driver’s secret relationship with a 15-year-old half his age was discovered when she phoned police to break up an argument.
Joseph Easson, 31, admitted having a sexual relationship with the girl.
She had been hiding in his house and phoned police to break up an argument between him and his ex-partner.
She initially lied about her age but later admitted she was only 15.
Despite being ordered by a court to keep away from her, Easson was later spotted with her again.
Relationship discovered
Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard that on April 18, 2021, the teenager was at his home when Easson’s former partner arrived, looking for somewhere to stay.
He initially refused her entry but then relented, while the girl hid in a bedroom.
Easson and his former partner began arguing and, from another room, the girl phoned police.
When officers arrived, she told them she was 18 and no criminality was found at the time.
But when police spoke to self-employed lorry driver Easson’s former partner the next day, she revealed to officers he was in a “new relationship” with an underage girl.
In a police interview, the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted her real age.
They had sustained he relationship from February to that point and the girl was only 15 throughout.
Breached bail
Fiscal depute Claire Bremner explained the girl was very interested in Easson, who initially thought she was older.
When she told the father-of-two she was 15, he suggested making plans to start a relationship after her next birthday.
However, they stayed together most nights.
She attended his home at 2am on February 13 last year after he had been on a night out.
The court heard she kissed him and he seemed “shocked and reluctant” but she kissed him again and they moved to the bedroom.
The girl had told her mother she was staying at a friend’s house.
After Easson first appeared in the dock first accused of sexual misconduct in April, he was ordered to keep away from the girl.
However, she was spotted entering his home in Kirkcaldy’s Balfour Street with him on June 16.
He admitted breaching bail.
Sex Offenders Register
His solicitor James McMackin said: “Mr Easson is well aware custody may be at the forefront of the court’s mind.”
He stressed a potentially concerning previous conviction was for public urination and was not directly analogous.
Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane deferred sentencing until April 19 and ordered reports.
She placed Easson on the Sex Offenders Register.
