Frank Stewart

Frank Stewart, 23, from Arbroath, was jailed for two years at Forfar Sheriff Court following a trial in August where he was found guilty of three charges, including sexual abuse of two young girls. In the first incident in East Wemyss, Fife, in 2021, Stewart carried a sleeping schoolgirl into another room and abused her, with his DNA found in the crotch of her underwear and traces of his saliva on her jumpsuit.

A year later in Forfar, Stewart abused a second girl by groping her and repeatedly trying to kiss her, also convicted of threatening or abusive behaviour. When challenged, he responded, "I’m sorry, we’ve all done things we’re not proud of." He protested, "I’m not a paedophile, I’m not a paedophile." His solicitor Billy Rennie highlighted Stewart's solitary existence, early exposure to death, and vulnerability in prison, supported by a psychiatric report indicating real trauma.

Sheriff Mark Thorley stated, "I understand your position, however it appears to me clearly there is a risk to the public here. There can be absolutely no alternative here but the imposition of a custodial sentence." In addition to the two-year sentence, Stewart was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years, with 10-year non-harassment orders for both victims and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order prohibiting unsupervised contact with girls under 16. Stewart became agitated in the dock before being led away. The case was reported by The Courier.