Former Dundee United stadium manager sentenced for sex attack
The former stadium manager of a Scottish football club has been given a three-year community payback order after sexually assaulting a woman.
Albert Dawson admitted carrying out the attack in the East Stand of Dundee United's Tannadice stadium in 2011.
He walked up behind his victim, who was also employed by the club, put his arms around her, touched her breasts and put his hands between her legs.
Dawson, 49, was also placed on the sex offenders register for three years.
The court was told that the woman raised a complaint with her line manager at the club following the attack - but said she did not want the police involved at that point.
Dawson was then confronted by club bosses, given a warning and allowed to keep his job.
Fiscal depute Eilidh Robertson told Dundee Sheriff Court: "The accused did not speak to the complainer for some time, however at the start of last football season he made a further comment towards her that made her feel uncomfortable and it was at this point she decided to report the incident to police.
"She was hysterically upset while disclosing the matter to them. The following week she left her job and went on sick leave.
"The accused was interviewed in relation to this matter by police and said 'I held my hands up to that - I had been mucking about with the lass and I went too far'.
"He admitted he had cupped her genitals and couldn't provide any defence for his actions. He confirmed they had never been in a relationship."
Dawson, from Forfar, pleaded guilty to a charge of sexually assaulting the woman on one occasion between 1 February 2011 and 30 April 2011.
He was sacked from his post at the football club after admitting to the attack last month.
Sheriff Tom Hughes said: "It is clear to everyone that your behaviour was totally unacceptable.
"The position is that you placed the lady concerned in this attack in a very distressing situation. She is traumatised by this to this very day.
"If you breach the order it will come back to me - so if you don't comply the other option will be a custodial sentence."