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Two convicted sex offenders are facing the possibility of further prison sentences after they were observed engaging in sexual acts in a public setting at an Edinburgh sports club. Aaron Hickman, 30, and Robert Gillies, 35, were drinking at the Murrayfield Indoor Sports Club while watching a rugby match when they were seen “kissing and cuddling” in the busy bar area.
On 16 November 2022, patrons at the club became alarmed when they witnessed Hickman place his hand down Gilles’ trousers and perform a sexual act on him in front of other customers. A concerned member of the public confronted the pair, prompting them to leave the premises shortly after.
The incident was recorded on the club’s CCTV system, and following the identification of the two men, they were arrested and charged. Hickman, who resides in Markinch, Fife, has a criminal record that includes a previous sentence of three years and nine months for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl and attempting to rape a 15-year-old girl in Fife.
Gillies, from Dunfermline, Fife, has also faced previous legal issues, including a prison term for breaching a Risk of Sexual Harm Order. He was found guilty of possessing an electronic device capable of accessing the internet without permission and had multiple breaches of a restriction of liberty order.
Both men recently pleaded guilty to intentionally engaging in sexual activity in the presence of members of the public when they appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. During the proceedings, Fiscal depute Corey Laouadi detailed how patrons in the bar area had observed their behaviour between 7:40 pm and 8:10 pm that evening.
The court heard that, following the incident, the matter was reported to the police three days later, leading to the swift identification and arrest of Hickman and Gillies.
Sheriff Christopher Dickson has placed both defendants on the sex offenders register, with their names to be forwarded to Scottish Ministers for inclusion on the list prohibiting them from working with children and vulnerable adults. While their bail conditions remain in place for now, the sheriff emphasised the serious nature of their actions. Sentencing has been deferred until next month for further reports.
