Man left unattended by his carer sexually assaulted a 12 year old girl inside an Inverness shop

A man left unattended by his carer while he went to the toilet sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl inside an Inverness shop.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Philip Mackenzie (35) pulled the girl into the disabled toilet inside The Range on Eastfield Way, Inverness on February 2 last year, began pushing her to the floor and pulled her onto his lap.

Fiscal depute Suzy Love told Sheriff Gary Aitken that Mackenzie also attempted to remove the girl’s clothing and repeatedly touched her on the body.

Ms Love told Inverness Sheriff Court that Mackenzie required 24/7 care and had been out for lunch with his carer when he asked to go to the toilet.

Because the carer could see the toilets from where he was he allowed Mackenzie to go on his own, though he should have been accompanied.

The girl had been out with her mum when she decided to go to the toilet too.

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It was while she was entering the toilet corridor that Mackenzie grabbed her and pulled her into the disabled toilet.

Ms Love said: “He allowed the girl to get up and asked if she wanted her phone. She walked out of the toilets and approached an elderly couple and told them what happened.

“The social worker for Mackenzie saw the complainer come out upset. The complainer and her mother then reported the incident to staff at the store, who then contacted police.

“The complainer was examined and had fresh bruising to her chest and abrasions to her upper left and right thighs.”

Mackenzie, who appeared via video link from hospital where he is currently on remand, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child not yet 13.

Sheriff Aitken deferred sentencing until May 27 for background reports including a psychiatric report and assessment for a sexual offender’s rehabilitation programme.

Mackenzie was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Sheriff Aitken said: “This issue should never have happened and the accused has taken an opportunity. There is nothing anyone can do to wind back time.”