In the evening, he was lauded as a hero; a police officer sex offender from Auchterarder, David Jones, sexually abused four women. Dancing to an ABBA tribute band at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu hotel on March 31, 2023, David Jones inappropriately groped his stunned victims.
The women were swimming teachers, sisters, paramedics in training, and firefighters.
Earlier acknowledged for what were said to be “heroic acts of bravery,” the married 36-year-old constable from Auchterarder in Perthshire and three comrades
Responding to claims of a gas leak in Edinburgh, they had to cope with a mentally sick, knife-brandishing man.
While still able to escape the area from any risk, vital first aid was given. Back-up arrived later.
Dad-of-two David Jones and his colleagues gathered the Chairperson’s Award for their work.
However, his six-and-a-half-year career was finished when he was found guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
David Jones was not found guilty of three more claims of sexual assault against an ambulance driver, lab assistant, and political student.
Along with the sex offenders registering for one year, Sheriff Andrew McIntyre directed Jones to complete 150 hours of unpaid work under supervision.
“It seems quite plain that the night in question was a complete aberration of your character,” Sheriff McIntyre stated.
“Your behaviour was at least careless and set off a range of reactions from your victims.
Everyone knows that evening; you were getting an award for your first aid and crucial efforts. You helped our community significantly.
“I find it difficult to set aside your excellent work for the police and the military.
None of that lessens the apparent suffering your actions brought about.
Your victims were public servants honouring their accomplishments for which they were being praised. You destroyed that evening for them.
“Every woman should be free to mingle without unwelcome contact or fear you caused.
“You do not fully comprehend or accept why your evening behaviour was inappropriate.
“You took away from them with your inebriated sexual behaviour; they were entitled to enjoy their evening without harassment.
“I am happy that a community sentence fits.”
The trial heard celebrants split to pay an Abba tribute performance and a DJ following award distribution.
David Jones assaulted the ladies on the dance floor intoxicated.
A 23-year-old paramedic student among the victims told the court: “There was a man who just happened to receive an award that night who was trying to dance with me.
“I dismissed it, but he kept trailing me as though hungry for my attention.
“Initially, he ground on me, which made me uncomfortable.”
The woman said that David Jones then trailed her, grabbed her by the hand, and whirled her around.
She remarked, “At first, it was over my clothes. He tried to grab my breast.”
The witness continued, saying David Jones placed his hand under her gown.
How did she feel? Asked prosecutor Abbas Ali.
The woman answered: “Dirty.” She informed the court she suffers from PTSD.
The thirty-year-old firefighters claimed to have been dancing and celebrating with colleagues.
“I felt a clear bump on my back, then a grab on my bum,” she stated.
The woman characterised it as a “squeeze” and a “grope”.
The 23-year-old swimming instructor related an “uncomfortable interaction” with a stranger who touched her breast.
She said, “I told him to get away from me.” The man stayed “lingering” close to her group; he had been pawing at her sister before that.
The sibling claimed she was “grabbed more vigorously”, making her “uncomfortable and intimidated.”
The witness said: “I was disappointed someone would do at an event where we were there to enjoy as volunteers from the charity.”
After being seen invading the personal space of others, a security guard informed the court that he removed an “intoxicated” David Jones.
David Jones claimed in his evidence that he “probably” touched the women on the dance floor.
He said Christopher Shaw, his attorney, had they objected; he would have ceased dancing with them.
David Jones said he “did not know why” he had been thrown out the bash after the evening.
He agreed he might have apologised to one of the women, but the females were “mistaken by thinking it was something it was not”.
Mr Shaw informed the judge that his client was lying and insisted he was innocent.
He said: “Mr David Jones is a man with good integrity who understands his situation is now untenable.
“His job is over right now.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.