Tattooist preyed on teenage girls

Man faces jail for sexual assaults

A TATTOOIST who sexually preyed on teenage girls as he illegally tattooed them with designs faces a lengthy jail sentence after he was convicted following a retrial.

Paul McLellan, 46, was found guilty of eight offences of sexual assault and conduct towards five victims, four of whom were aged just 15.

But he was acquitted of a further four charges of sexual assault involving two more teenagers on not proven verdicts.

During his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh he had admitted a string of charges of tattooing minors at addresses in Dundee, including at his former flat, in 2012 and 2013.

McLellan, who has previous convictions for similar offences, was previously given a life sentence under an Order for Lifelong Restriction after his earlier trial.

He was found guilty at Dundee Sheriff Court following a trial in 2013 but was sent to the High Court to be dealt with because of its greater powers of sentencing.

Lord Uist described him as “a habitual and incorrigible offender” who was a threat to young females. The judge ordered he serve a minimum of five years in jail but under an Order for Lifelong Restriction any future release would be left to the parole authorities.

However, lawyers acting for McLellan appealed against his conviction, which was quashed following misdirection by the sheriff at his original trial. Authority was granted to the Crown to bring a fresh prosecution.

Following yesterday’s verdicts the judge at the latest trial, Lord Boyd of Duncansby, warned McLellan he would consider “at the least” imposing an extended sentence on him when he returns to court next month.

This would involve custody followed by supervision, but added that he may then look at imposing an OLR. He told McLellan: “You have been convicted by the jury of a number of charges against young girls. It is clear on the basis of your previous convictions you remain a danger to young girls.”

Teenagers had gone to McLellan seeking to have body art designs applied, including one who was wanting a tribute to a deceased relative.

But McLellan used the opportunities to molest victims and expose himself. An 18-year-old victim said he pushed her hand on to his private parts as she was having an arm tattoo applied.

Another victim said she felt “scared and embarrassed” after he came into contact with her breast.

She was lying on a couch and said: “I was thinking ‘this is not right’.” McLellan had denied the incidents were sexually motivated.

He was placed on the sex offenders’ register and will remain in custody until sentencing. ROY LAYCOCK has crafted a colourful doocot that pigeons would be proud to call home.

The Langholm-based artist’s work is to go on show next month at the Spring Fling Rural Mural Arts Festival, which will see installations from up to 100 artists and designers go on display across Dumfries and Galloway. The event usually attracts more than 100,000 visitors.