Anger as child abuser ‘excused’ to go on holiday

A PAEDOPHILE who abused a young girl was allowed to put off his sentencing – because he was on holiday.

Derek Lamond, 51, jetted off to the Channel Islands to be best man at a pal’s wedding instead of facing justice last week.

And the family of his 14-year-old victim were left outraged when he was simply “excused” at Dunfermline Sheriff Court after his lawyer explained the trip had already been booked.

They had travelled to the court to see him punished but will now be forced to wait until June 29 for sentencing.

The youngster’s devastated mum told The Sunday Post: “I can’t get my head around it. I felt physically sick when I found out.

“I wanted closure – my bairn wanted closure on it. I’m fuming.

“That’s another week my daughter has to suffer. The sooner he is locked up the better. I hope they throw away the key.”

She said her normally easy-going teen had been left scarred by the assault.

But she added: “I’m so proud of my daughter for telling me what happened that night. She did so well telling the police what he did.”

Three members of the girl’s extended family and a close friend were in court on Wednesday to see Lamond, who had previously admitted a charge of sexual assault, being sentenced by Sheriff Craig McSherry.

But defence lawyer Gwen Haggerty told the court her client was not present as he was on a pre-booked holiday.

The victim’s 49-year-old aunt said afterwards: “We were expecting him to be there, and when he didn’t appear it was a slap in the face.

“It’s shocking. I can’t believe the court accepted it. He should have been there. Instead he’s at a wedding on Guernsey.

“It’s just a shame the bairn has to go through this. It’s that bad she was crying the other day, asking, ‘Do I have to go to court?’”

Lamond will now be sentenced by Sheriff Derek Reekie – who previously heard the case – on Thursday. When approached by The Sunday Post at his home in Dunfermline, Lamond confirmed he had been at a wedding on the Channel Islands.

But he said he had told the court about the holiday weeks ago and was given permission not to attend. He declined to make any further comment.

It is understood Lamond’s defence contacted Sheriff Reekie to request their client’s absence and this was granted – but the Crown Office were unaware of the decision until Wednesday at court.

A Crown Office spokeswoman said scheduling sentencing was a matter for the court’s Sheriff Clerk, while Dunfermline Sheriff Court said it was the sheriff’s decision.