In court for park indecency 25 years ago

The victim was 12 years old at the time. She was in court to hear Richard Brockie admit to historic sex offences.

Brockie, 77, of Katrine Crescent, admitted that between March 1990 and September 1991 at Pittencrieff Park, he used lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour towards the girl.

Depute fiscal Claire Bremner told Dunfermline Sheriff Court that he has “numerous convictions for matters of a sexual nature” - he has previous convictions for lewd and libidinous behaviour and public indecency.

He has previously been jailed and was subject to an indefinite SOPO (Sexual Offences Protection Order) in January 2008, which stopped him from having unsupervised contact with children under 16 and prevented him entering public parks.

Ms Bremner continued, “At the time of the first incident, the complainer was 12 years old and she often socialised with friends within Pittencrieff Park.

“The accused was someone who was known to her. He also frequented the park, would often speak to the young people there and was often under the influence of alcohol.

“The first occasion which caused alarm took place in the spring time of 1990. The complainer was within the park along with her friends when she encountered the accused.

“He was under the influence of alcohol.

The incident did not come to light until 2014. Brockie was arrested in May that year and gave a ‘no comment’ interview at Dunfermline police station.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said the offences occurred 25 years ago but admitted his client had an “unenviable record”.

Mr Morrison added, “He does regret his behaviour. When he was a younger man it appears he couldn’t control his behaviour. He regrets if he’s caused the complainer distress at the time and since.”

Sheriff Craig McSherry called for reports and Brockie was placed on the sex offenders register. He will be sentenced on April 20.