A woman who appeared in court accused of offering to carry out sexual acts on a 12-year-old boy for money has had her case deserted.
Lynne Stephen was facing a trial after she denied making verbal offers to engage in sexual activity with children on Provost Watt Drive in Aberdeen.
But now that charge – of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner – has been temporarily deserted at a pre-trial hearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
The 46-year-old was alleged to offered to engage in sexual activity with a 12-year-old boy, who was unknown to her, in exchange for money on September 19 this year.
After a video identification parade failed to confirm the identification of Stephen, the Crown Office put forward a motion to desert Stephen’s case ‘pro loco et tempore’ – meaning it is deserted until such a time a fresh charge is brought.
Stephen’s defence agent Caitlin Pirie asked for that desertion to be made “simpliciter” – without any qualification or condition – to save it from “hanging over” her client’s head.
Case remains ‘in public interest’
However, fiscal depute Andrew McMann argued it was in the public interest to keep options open should police investigate further, given the alleged offence was “against a child and of a sexual nature”.
The alleged offer of sexual activity was also made in front of other children, the fiscal added.
Sheriff Morag McLaughlin agreed the case against Stephen, of Hilton Drive, Aberdeen should be deserted temporarily.
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