A PAEDOPHILE who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl at a party has avoided jail and also unpaid work – because he was scared he would be “targeted” by other offenders.

Derek Lamond, 51, of Arthur Street, Dunfermline, who has a previous conviction for a similar sex offence, appeared for sentencing at the town’s sheriff court.

The family of the victim were furious when they turned up to see Lamond being sentenced last month only to find out he had been given permission to go on holiday.

Lamond, a farm worker, previously admitted that on May 10 at a house in Dunfermline, he sexually assaulted the girl, looked inside her clothing at her breasts and touched her on the breast.

When Lamond finally returned from holiday, defence solicitor Gwen Haggerty asked for the sheriff not to impose unpaid work.

“The concern is he would become a target. He’s already been targeted because of the press coverage and his car’s been spray-painted,” she said.

“The other offenders would become aware of his offence. There has already been at least one incident.”

Sheriff Derek Reekie said: “This was a very serious offence and, to say the very least, a highly unpleasant one.

“What makes it worse is that it happened in the girl’s own home. You also have a previous conviction for a similar offence in 2009,” he told Lamond.

The sheriff said there was “no doubt” the offence would merit a custodial sentence but he believed that the public could be protected better in the longer term by a community-based disposal.

He said it had been in his mind to impose unpaid work and a restriction of liberty order.

However, instead, he imposed a community payback order with a 10-month tag and no unpaid work.

Lamond will remain on the sex offenders’ register for three years.

Last month, members of the girl’s family were in court for sentencing but Lamont was not.

They heard his attendance had been excused so that he could go on a “pre-booked holiday”.