Craig Leiper, 54, has been convicted of sexually assaulting his frail, elderly mother at Henderson House nursing home in Dalgety Bay, Fife. The shocking incidents occurred in a public area of the home, including during a religious service. The victim, who was in her eighties, is now deceased.
Details of the Assaults
Leiper's depraved conduct was witnessed by care workers, a church minister, and a woman visiting her own mother at the nursing home. They did not intervene at the time, but concerns about the inappropriate touching grew and the matter was reported to police, leading to Leiper being banned from the home. Leiper claimed he was unhappy with the care his mother was receiving and that she had asked him to massage her legs due to discomfort.
Trial and Conviction
Leiper, of Hill Street, Inverkeithing, was found guilty after a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court. He was convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting his mother, then aged 82, between June 14 and July 8 last year at Henderson House nursing home. He repeatedly touched her over her clothing, kissed her on the head and body, all without her consent.
Witness Testimony
Care assistant Donna Shaw, 67, told the court of an incident where Leiper was massaging his mum's legs in a public lounge area. She saw him thrusting his hand back and forwards between his mum's legs in her private area. “I was shocked. There was no need for it. I was stunned,” she said. She immediately reported it to a colleague and the nurse in charge. Asked why she did not intervene, she said: “I didn’t know what to do. I was shocked, spoke to a colleague and then reported it. What I saw didn’t look right.” Mrs Shaw also noted that Leiper constantly phoned his mother, and she had commented: “He’s trying to own me.” The witness said: “It was almost like an obsession. He was phoning her constantly.”
Church Minister's Concerns
Another incident involved Leiper rubbing his mum's breast area. Church minister Andrea Fraser was so concerned about Leiper's actions during a service at the home that she reported it to management.
Defence and Summing Up
In his evidence, Leiper said his mum had lived with him before falling ill and entering hospital and then the home. She had a history of health issues, and he said he had been caring for her on and off since he was 12 years old. He denied ever touching her inappropriately, stating: “I was close to my mum but not in that way.” Leiper claimed those making allegations were lying, including the minister. Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said in her summing up: “People get gratification from strange things and it seems he gained more gratification to do this in public.” Defence solicitor Amy Harley said: “There was something of a witch-hunt after staff took a dislike to him.”
Verdict and Sentencing
Sheriff Neil Kinnear found Leiper guilty of sexual assault and commented: “I can’t look into your mind. It could have been you being over-protective. It could have been controlling behaviour or just sexual behaviour.” He called for reports and placed Leiper on the sex offenders register ahead of sentencing on July 30. Henderson House Care Home’s website states it “provides exceptional standards of Residential, Nursing, Dementia and Respite Care for up to 60 residents over three floors” and “prides itself on creating a safe and welcoming environment where residents can feel at home, supported by experienced and dedicated staff.”
