Kris Neish

A man from Aberdeen has been convicted of sexual offences against a woman and a teenage girl, avoiding a custodial sentence but being added to the sex offender's register. Kris Neish, aged 33 and residing at Bayview Court, was found guilty at Aberdeen Sheriff Court following a trial where a jury acquitted him of one charge but convicted him on two counts of sexual assault.

The offences occurred at a property in Aberdeen. The first assault involved a girl aged between 14 and 15, which took place between January 2015 and January 2016. Neish, an IT technician, was convicted of touching the girl's leg in a sexual manner. The second incident involved an 18-year-old woman, whom he assaulted by touching her private parts on 15 June 2019. The court heard evidence spanning more than four years of such behaviour.

During the sentencing hearing, Neish's defence advocate, Neil Shand, stated that his client maintained his innocence. "He does not accept he took part in these offences," Mr Shand told the court, as reported by The Press and Journal. Despite the conviction, Sheriff William Summer opted for a non-custodial sentence, imposing a three-year community payback order with supervision. Neish was also ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work and to participate in a sexual offender's programme.

In addition to these measures, Neish was placed on the sex offender's register for three years. A non-harassment order was issued, prohibiting him from contacting or approaching his victims for five years. This case highlights the judicial response to sexual assault convictions in Scotland, where community-based sentences can be applied alongside rehabilitative programmes and registration requirements.

The trial and sentencing took place at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, with details emerging from court proceedings covered by local media. An initial report erroneously stated three convictions, but this was corrected to reflect the acquittal on the third charge.