Predator avoids jail for sex assault at a Dunfermline hotel

Giedrius Ambrazevicius, from Lithuania, assaulted the girl at the entrance to the hotel as New Year celebrations were going on.

The victim said she was “terrified” during the attack by someone who was a complete stranger.

The assault took place at the Guildhall and Linen Exchange, High Street, Dunfermline, on January 1, 2022.

The pregnant wife and children of Ambrazevicius were upstairs in a hotel bedroom when he attacked the young girl.

Ambrazevicius was found guilty by a jury after a three-day trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, where he was accompanied in the dock by a translator.

He returned to court for sentencing after the sheriff had called for a social work report.

The property developer, who said in court he could afford to pay a fine off at £2000 a month, was on a family break in Scotland at New Year when the crime took place.

Ambrazevicius was convicted of a charge that he sexually assaulted the girl.

He placed his arm around her, repeatedly touched her body and buttocks, touched her private parts over her clothing, placed his hand inside her shorts, attempted to kiss her and touched her sexually with his finger.

He accepted carrying out a sexual act but claimed it had been consensual.

In her evidence, the victim, now aged 19, said the man had approached her at the entrance area of the hotel, put his arm around her shoulder then pulled her in closer, asking for her room number.

She said she told him to “get off me”.

She said he squeezed her bum then put his hand inside the back of her shorts.

She said she had felt “terrified” and “disgusted” during the ordeal.

Sheriff John MacRitchie said that a nine-month prison term would be appropriate but pointed out that in Scotland there is a presumption against short-term jail sentences of under a year.

Instead, he imposed a fine of £10,350 and compensation of £2000. Ambrazevicius was also put on the sex offenders register for five years.