In 2026, the Offender Database recorded that Stephen Daniel, then 70, of Shotts, Lanarkshire, was sentenced for sexually assaulting two people during religious services. On Wednesday, 18 February 2026, Daniel appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court for sentencing following a trial. The court reported that the defendant, a window cleaner and former elder within the Jehovah’s Witness movement, targeted a man and a woman at a Kingdom Hall in Lanarkshire over a period spanning nearly a decade.
The investigation established that Daniel assaulted a 55-year-old woman in March 2024 during a service marking the death of Christ. The victim reported being “shocked” and “traumatised” after the defendant firmly touched her backside as he walked past her. Additionally, Daniel targeted a 55-year-old man on three separate occasions between January 2015 and February 2020, which included groping the victim during a hug. Police Scotland reported that the investigation was launched after both victims independently confronted the defendant during the services.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Daniel maintained his innocence throughout the trial, claiming the allegations had destroyed his mental health. Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that the defendant collapsed in the dock upon hearing his conviction. The prosecution reported that the assaults took place in a setting the victims considered sacred, significantly increasing the emotional impact of the offences. Evidence provided by the victims described a calculated pattern of behaviour where the defendant utilized social and religious proximity to carry out the assaults.
Sheriff Ross Macfarlane KC noted the serious nature of the breaches of trust within the religious community. For his actions in Shotts, Lanarkshire, Daniel was convicted of two counts of sexual assault. The judge noted that the protective orders were necessary to safeguard the victims and the wider congregation, specifically banning the defendant from entering the Kingdom Hall where the attacks occurred for a decade.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in Scotland, Stephen Daniel was handed:
- Supervision Requirement: Three years under the supervision of the social work department.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated for three years.
- Non-Harassment Order: A five-year ban on contacting both victims.
- Exclusion Order: A 10-year ban on entering the Kingdom Hall in Lanarkshire.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Daniel is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Police Scotland and the North Lanarkshire social work department. Due to the “predatory” nature of the assaults in Lanarkshire, his management is subject to oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Daniel must comply with notification requirements regarding his residence in Shotts, Lanarkshire, for the next three years. Authorities state that his exclusion from the religious meeting place will be strictly enforced to ensure the safety and peace of the congregation. Any breach of his registration conditions, the exclusion order, or his supervision terms will result in immediate arrest and a return to Hamilton Sheriff Court.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.