Teenager who molested girl, 4, sent to High Court for sentence

A TEENAGER who is on the sex offenders' register for molesting a four-year old girl has been remitted to the High Court for it to decide if he should be handed a lifelong restriction order.

Terry Johnston, 17, had previously pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to using lewd and libidinous practices and behaviour towards the girl between March 8 and 10 last year at a house in the city.

Johnston was just 16 when he committed the offences against the girl. The incident came to light when the girl's mother gave her a kiss and told her: "I love you."

The girl said back: "I love you too, so let's play the kissing game," and kissed her mother with an open mouth in an adult fashion.

Sentence was deferred on Johnston, who already has two convictions for sexual offences, until yesterday for reports.

Fiscal Depute Malcolm Stewart moved that the matter be remitted to the High Court.

Defence agent Ewan Roy opposed the motion, saying that although his client had committed offences in England, he was a first offender in Scotland.

Sheriff James Farrell ordered the case to be remitted and continued to remand Johnston in custody.