Man attacked ex-friend guilty of sex offence

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04/21/2007

A MAN attacked his former friend after finding out he was a sex offender.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard John Kay, 44, assaulted Ian Bruce on July 23 last year by repeatedly punching him and pushing him against a wall.

Kay discovered Mr Bruce had served a five-year sentence for a sex offense after he had helped him try to get a job in a community cafe.

Defense agent, Andrew Houston, described the case as "unusual". The two men had been friends and often drank with each other, and in November 2005, Kay was working as a volunteer in the cafe.

The cafe coordinator had asked him if he knew anyone who might take up the position of janitor and Kay recommended Mr Bruce.

But after Mr Bruce had been interviewed for the job, the coordinator took Kay aside and told Kay that they could not employ Bruce as he was on the Sex Offenders' Register.

Mr Houston said Kay was shocked and was concerned about how it might reflect on him as he had pushed Mr Bruce forward for the job.

Eight months later, Mr Houston said his client, under the influence of drink, wished to find out why Mr Bruce had not confided in him and went to his flat where an argument broke out.

Kay, of Wauchope House, Greendykes Road, Edinburgh, was ordered to perform 250 hours of community service.