A 64-year-old paedophile sexually assaulted two teenage girls in Fife.
James Johnstone attacked a 13-year-old girl on two separate dates in 2021 when he was nearly 50 years older than her.
During the second incident he told his victim he “should not be touching” her like he was but continued for what the girl believed to be about 10 minutes.
He violated another girl on her 14th birthday, when he was 58, in 2017.
Johnstone previously pled guilty to two counts of sexual assault, which took place at different addresses in Fife.
’10-minute’ attack
At an earlier hearing, Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard Johnstone attacked his 13-year-old victim twice in June 2021.
Prosecutor Alistair McDermid said the pervert forced his younger victim into a hug on the first occasion but things turned more sinister just six days later.
“She said she was going for a shower and went to find a power pack so she could listen to music.
“The accused had it and said he would give it to her if she gave him a hug.
“He placed his arms around her.
“He moved his hand to place it between her legs and started to rub her.
“She was wearing jeans, which she described as ‘not that thick’.
“He used such force that her clothing and his finger penetrated her.
“The accused said ‘I shouldn’t be touching you like this’ but continued his attack for what the girl estimated to be around 10 minutes.”
Snapchat recording
On an occasion in 2017, Johnstone attacked another girl on her 14th birthday.
Mr McDermid said the girl was sitting on a sofa with Johnstone when he moved closer and put his arm around her.
The fiscal said: “She sensed something was wrong and started recording on Snapchat.
“The accused kissed her.
“She pulled away and said she was recording.”
The video was later recovered from a folder on her phone called “my eyes only”.
Sentence
Johnstone, of Sauchenbush Road, Kirkcaldy, appeared in the dock for sentencing this week.
Defence lawyer Kieran Clegg said his client had used the word “devastating” to him when speaking about the long-lasting impact of his crime.
Sheriff Alison McKay questioned if he meant devastating for himself or his victims, highlighting a background report which states he suggested one of his victims “could not be that scared” as she did not move away from him.
Mr Clegg said Johnstone did understand the effect on these young women.
The sheriff ordered Johnstone to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for three years.
He was also made subject to offender supervision for three years.
A not guilty plea to a further sexual assault on one of the girls, as well as to a sexual assault on a third girl, was accepted by the Crown.
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