Dangerous Man Jailed for Sexual Assaults on Women

A 38-year-old man, Jonathan King, has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against women, including a 16-year-old girl. Described by the procurator fiscal as a "predatory individual," King’s actions were deemed "truly alarming" and unacceptable in society. His criminal behavior began in February 2019 when he targeted a teenage girl in Fountain Gardens, where he assaulted her after seizing her by the hair as she tried to escape. In September 2021, King escalated his predatory behavior by following three women in the town center. One victim reported that he attempted to engage her in conversation before assaulting her by grabbing her hand and trying to force it behind her back. King was ultimately convicted of three sexual assaults, three counts of threatening or abusive behavior, and one charge of assault. He also admitted to breaching bail conditions that prohibited him from approaching women outside of family or acquaintances. At the High Court in Glasgow, King received an extended sentence of eight-and-a-half years, with 54 months to be served in custody. Additionally, he has been placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely. Katrina Parkes, Scotland's procurator fiscal for high court sexual offending, emphasized the danger King poses to women, stating that his victims should have felt safe in their daily lives but were instead targeted by his opportunistic behavior.