A 44-year-old man with an extensive criminal history has been sentenced to two years in prison after sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Fraserburgh. Colin Yeats admitted the offence, which took place just one month after his release from a previous jail term. Lord Summers, sitting at the High Court in Edinburgh, described Yeats as a "menace to society" and noted that he had exploited the girl's state of intoxication.
The assault occurred in July 2025 at the Saltoun Inn in Fraserburgh. According to local reporting, CCTV footage showed Yeats and the vulnerable 15-year-old girl walking from another pub towards the Saltoun Inn before entering the ladies' toilets, where they remained in a cubicle for approximately eight minutes. The girl had been drinking at a different establishment before encountering Yeats.
What was Yeats' criminal background?
Yeats' record demonstrates a pattern of serious offending spanning multiple categories. Advocate depute Chris Jones outlined to the court that his convictions included numerous drug offences, road traffic crimes, and breaches of court orders. He had been released on licence in June 2025 after completing a sentence for a drugs conviction, meaning he had spent only 45 days in the community before committing the sexual assault.
How did the victim respond?
Following the incident, the girl made what prosecutors described as "distressed disclosures" to people close to her about what had occurred. According to court reporting, a family member discovered her crying in her bedroom after she returned home, prompting the disclosure of the assault.
What did the judge say about sentencing?
Lord Summers acknowledged that this represented Yeats' first conviction for sexual offending. However, the judge stated:
"Nevertheless, your record suggests you are a menace to society."The judge also told Yeats:
"You have an atrocious criminal record."He explained that the sentence would ordinarily have been three years, but was reduced to two years in recognition of Yeats' guilty plea. In addition to the custodial sentence, Yeats was placed on the sex offenders register.
What is the broader context?
This case reflects an ongoing pattern of serious sexual offences against young people in Scotland. In a separate case from July 2026, Aaron Strachan was jailed under an order for lifelong restriction after abducting and raping a 15-year-old girl in Edinburgh, demonstrating the vulnerability of teenagers to predatory offenders.
Key Facts:
- Colin Yeats, 44, admitted sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl at the Saltoun Inn in Fraserburgh in July 2025, one month after his release from prison
- The assault took place in a ladies' toilet cubicle; CCTV footage documented the pair's movements before the incident
- Yeats has extensive prior convictions for drug offences, road traffic crimes, and breach of court orders
- He was sentenced to two years imprisonment and placed on the sex offenders register; the sentence was reduced from three years due to his guilty plea
- The victim, described as vulnerable, made distressed disclosures to family members after the assault
