Fife folk band fiddler avoids jail over suggestive messages to young girls

A Fife folk band fiddler who bombarded young girls with suggestive texts and Facebook messages has narrowly avoided a prison sentence.

Music tutor Ewan Stark’s sordid activities were uncovered after his then wife discovered a naked picture he sent one teenager and reported him to the police.

Officers subsequently discovered he had targeted four more girls, aged between 14 and 16, with the “wholly inappropriate” messages.

A sheriff expressed concern that the 39-year-old stated in a report prepared for the court that “no real harm” had been done.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard previously that Stark’s horrified Lomond Ceilidh Band colleagues kicked him out of the group when the allegations came to light.

Stark, Backdykes Terrace, Falkland, admitted one charge of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour and four charges under the Sexual Offences Scotland Act.

The offences took place between May 2009 and September 2014 at addresses in Fife and Stornaway.

Stark was sentenced to a two-year supervision order and 255 hours of unpaid work.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for two years.

See Friday’s Courier for more on this story.