If you have been accused of committing a sexual offence, you will face many unique challenges. Publicity and social stigma will often arise from such cases – this will mean dealing with extreme perspectives, complex, life-changing decisions and heightened emotions. In such circumstances, it is vital that you have the support of a specialist team of criminal defence solicitors who can provide clarity and reliable legal advice to help you assess your options rationally and pragmatically. To discuss your circumstances, call us on 0141 336 2020 or complete our online enquiry form.
Sexual Offences Lawyers, Glasgow
A new offence of 'grooming' was created by the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) 2005. This offence is intended to target individuals who develop relationships with children under the age of 16 to gain their trust and coax them into a vulnerable situation with the intention of engaging in sexual activity. The offence of grooming is complete when the individual meets or sets out to meet with the child for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with, or in the presence of the child either during or after the meeting. As a consequence, there is no need for sexual activity to take place for an individual to be charged with this offence. If sexual activity were to take place, this would likely constitute a separate sexual offence.
The offence can be committed by a person of any age. It must be committed against a person under the age of 16, and the person accused of the offence must be aware that the person with whom they are communicating is under 16.
If the individual accused of the offence reasonably believed that the person with whom they were communicating was 16 or over, they would not be held to have committed an offence. In such circumstances, it is up to the prosecution to prove that the individual did not believe that the person with whom they were communicating was 16 or over, or that it was not reasonable for them to hold this belief.
The communication between the person accused of the offence and the child can take any form. This includes online communication, such as email, social media or in a chat room, or conversations on the telephone or in person. These communications are not required to be explicitly sexual in nature.
Contact our Sexual Offences Solicitors in Glasgow, Scotland
The sexual offences solicitors at Keith J Tuck have many years of experience handling cases that are high profile and sensitive in nature. Based in Glasgow, we can take instruction from clients across the central belt. Our lawyers will work tirelessly on your behalf, developing the most robust defence possible to protect both your personal position and your reputation. We appreciate that clients may need our advice fast – this is why we provide a service that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Furthermore, we offer our services to both privately funded and Legal Aid clients. Call us today on 0141 336 2020, or contact us via our online contact form.
