Paedophile A&E doctor facing life

Published on Monday 21 June 2010 22:40

A DOCTOR who tried to lure two girls into his car, after deciding "the rewards" were worth the risk of being caught, is facing a life sentence.

Leslie Mitchell, 56, described himself as a "recovering paedophile" and confessed to a long-term interest in girls and driving around areas where there were primary schools, a court heard.

A judge told Mitchell, a former casualty doctor at Stirling Royal Infirmary, that he was alarmed by his offence, involving the apparent grooming of girls aged ten and 11 for sexual purposes.

Lord Hardie said a background report contained the "rather startling" statement that Mitchell had carried out his own assessment into the chances of his being detected, but had thought "the rewards" were greater.

"His risk assessment came out with a balance in favour of continuing this behaviour even against the risk of detection," said Lord Hardie.

Mitchell, of Carron, Falkirk, was remanded in custody to have a full risk assessment carried out on him.

Lord Hardie said he was considering an order for lifelong restriction (OLR) for Mitchell.

Under an OLR, an offender is given a minimum period that must be served in custody before parole can be considered. He can be detained indefinitely, until the parole board deems release to be a safe option, and is then supervised for the rest of his life, and liable to be recalled to jail if his behaviour raises any cause for concern.

The partner of the mother of one of the girls in the case said: "We are just glad he has been caught for what he has done, and has been taken off the streets."

Mitchell resigned from his post after his arrest was reported by the police to NHS Forth Valley. A spokeswoman said an internal review had been conducted and "no concerns or complaints have been raised by either patients or staff during the period he worked with us".

Mitchell admitted a charge of breach of the peace in Carronshore, Falkirk, on 13 January by engaging the girls in conversation and attempting to entice them into a car.

He appeared initially at Falkirk Sheriff Court, which heard that, on an earlier occasion, Mitchell had given the girls 50p when he saw them searching for money they had dropped on the ground. On the next occasion, the girls were walking home from school and Mitchell approached and mentioned the 50p. He said the girls were beautiful and attractive, and asked to tickle their legs. The girls were scared and neither replied.

Mitchell offered to give them a lift home. He then told them he would meet them the next day at the same place, but they said: "No". He left. The girls went home, reported the incident and the police were alerted.

Sheriff Craig Caldwell called for a background report on Mitchell. It stated that he had admitted his intention had been to entice the girls into his car so he could remove them from the scene and sexually abuse them.

He also admitted a long-term sexual interest in young girls and, although he had no convictions, disclosed previous offending involving girls while living in England.

Sheriff Caldwell believed Mitchell posed a "very significant risk" to the public and said: "Social workers say you described yourself as a recovering paedophile, but it appears to me you are a determined sexual offender."

Solicitor-advocate William McVicar told the High Court in Edinburgh: "(Mitchell] has acknowledged a need for help."

The case was adjourned until September, for sentencing at the High Court.