Prevention order on Cowdenbeath shopkeeper who sexually assaulted customer

A public protection order has been imposed on a shopkeeper who sexually assaulted a female customer who came into his pet store.

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

When she told him she was married, Beveridge replied: “Well, I’m not.”

He later told police he was a “touchy feely, hands-on” type of person.

Beveridge, 28, of Rae Street, Cowdenbeath, previously 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 touching her buttocks.

He returned to Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing on Wednesday and was made subject to an 18-month sexual offences prevention order.

This bans Beveridge from dealing with female customers without another adult being present.

A supervision period of the same length was imposed, as well as 225 hours of unpaid work and compensation of £400.

Beveridge was also placed on the sex offenders register.