Man convicted for serious sexual offences in Lerwick

Ellis Olav Birnie (27), was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh today in connection with a number of serious sexual offences that took place in Lerwick.

He was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Wednesday, 15 June 2022, for the offences that took place between 2018 and 2020.

He will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, 8 July 2022.

Detective Sergeant Bruce Peebles said: “The conviction of Birnie sends a clear message to anyone found guilty of sexual offences, you will be brought to justice.

“He befriended his vulnerable victims and I want to acknowledge their tremendous bravery, which has ultimately helped in this conviction. His actions will have had a long term effect on them and he must now face the consequences for his horrific behaviour.

“I hope today’s outcome will give them some form of closure.

“We would take this opportunity to encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes that should they wish to report this to the police, they will be treated sensitively, listened to, and all such allegations will be investigated thoroughly.”