Siblings avoid jail for sex in lift

A BROTHER and sister who admitted having sex in a railway station lift have been spared a prison sentence.

Richard Finlayson, 21, and his sister Kirsty, 18, were caught having sex at Motherwell station in Lanarkshire on 27 June last year. The pair, from Lanarkshire, both pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse at an earlier hearing.

Mr Finlayson was put on a probation order for two years, which will be reviewed in six months to decide if he should receive sexual offender counselling. He must also abide by the terms of the Sex Offenders Act for two years

Ms Finlayson, who was 17 at the time of the offence, was also given a probation order for one year and will receive counselling regarding mental health, substance abuse and employment.

Sentencing them at Hamilton Sheriff Court, Sheriff Ray Small said the publicity the case had brought meant the pair’s lives were now “in ruins”. Sheriff Small said: “I’m sure you both understand that most right-minded members of society will find the details of this case unacceptable and difficult to comprehend.”

However, he said both defendants were “vulnerable” and had “problems which no doubt contributed to the offence”.

Ms Finlayson’s lawyer, Ken Bonnington, told the court: “My client was only 17 at the time. She accepts full responsibility for her actions and accepts the seriousness of the charge.”