A prisoner sent a letter containing sexually explicit content to a person without their consent whilst serving a sentence at HMP Barlinnie.

Paul Etherington, 48, of Royston, was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court recently after pleading guilty to two charges.

He admitted to sending a handwritten letter containing sexually explicit content for the purposes of obtaining sexual gratification or of humiliating, distressing, or alarming the victim.

The charge goes on to state that this took place at HMP Barlinnie on an occasion between September 7, 2022 and April 29, 2023.

Etherington also admitted to breaching bail conditions not to approach, contact, or communicate with the victim.

The charges states that this offence took place between March 10 and 11, 2024 at a property in Royston.

READ NEXT: Taxi driver ran over woman who was lying unconscious on Glasgow road

Etherington’s lawyer told the court that his client had thought this was ‘what the victim wanted’ but realises now that this was not the case.

The defence solicitor said: “He does appear to have tried to be as honest as possible. Whilst there was some attempt to minimise his behaviour, his position is that he had thought that this was what the complainer had wanted but now clearly realises they did not.

“What he did was reckless. He has now served 16 months in prison. He is currently subject to a community payback order put in place prior to his incarceration, he is engaging with that still.

“There is significant work to be done with him. He has spent a significant period in custody.”

Addressing Etherington, Sheriff Collette Gallagher revealed that the offence had taken place whilst he was already subject to notification requirements.

READ NEXT: Man ordered at knifepoint to sell drugs by pair at Drumchapel home

Sheriff Gallagher commented: “I am not going to repeat what I said on the last occasion, all that remains to say is this was a serious offence.

“It was aggravated by you already being subject to notification requirements when this occurred. I’m concerned by the report that says there is no ability to recognise the seriousness of the action.

“The report does consider scope for ongoing intervention. A community payback order with supervision will be put in place for the purpose of addressing the risk you still pose.

“Social work will work with you on how to avoid this type of offending in the future. You will also be subject to sexual offender notification although you are already subject to that for a much longer period.

“You will need to attend a police office to register with them. They need to know you have been released from custody.”

Sheriff Gallagher placed Etherington on a community payback order with 18 months of social work supervision.

Etherington will also be subject to notification requirements for 18 months.