A man who began identifying as non-binary after a previous conviction for sexual assault has been spared jail despite being found guilty of repeatedly sexually abusing a teenager. Oliver James Bond, previously known as Lucas Cole, was found guilty at Perth Sheriff Court for charges related to sustained sex attacks and grooming a minor over the course of six years.
The abuses began in 2010 when the minor was just 15 years old. Bond, who would have been 20 at the time, befriended the teen and the two began spending time together. While at a house in Milnathort, Bond sexually attacked the boy while he was sleeping. The youth awoke to Bond’s penis in his mouth.
Bond would assault the boy two more times over the course of the next six years, once in Kinross between September 5, 2013, and September 4, 2014, and once between September 5, 2013, and September 4, 2014.
In the second attack, Bond repeatedly grabbed the teenager’s genitals, overpowering him and pulling down his pants before performing a sex act on him. In the third, Cole again began assaulting the victim while he was asleep.
Bond told the court that he believed his relationship with the boy had been one of “friends with benefits,” but he was found guilty on all charges after the jury deliberated for only one hour.
Throughout the trial, Bond was referred to by his preferred name and “they/them” pronouns. But the predator had only adopted his non-binary identity following a previous sexual abuse conviction.
In 2018, Bond was found guilty of sexually abusing a trans-identified male in Perth while the victim was intoxicated and could not consent. The court heard that the victim has been sleeping and awoke to find Bond, then known as Lucas Cole, carrying out a sex act on him. Following his 2018 conviction, Bond was handed no jail time and instead was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
The victim was called to provide a statement to the court during the most recent proceedings in order to establish Bond’s history of predatory sexual behavior.
But despite acknowledging that the matter was “serious,” and stating that Bond did not seem to fully grasp the consequences of his criminal behavior, Sheriff David Hall spared Bond any jail time.
“With some hesitation I am going to allow you to remain at liberty. You were convicted by the jury of all three charges,” Hall said, instead placing Bond on the sex offenders register for five years.
Bond will also be under social work supervision for 18 months, as well as have a curfew for six months and be required to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.
Reduxx is your source of pro-woman, pro-child safeguarding news and commentary. We’re 100% independent! Support our mission by joining our Patreon, or consider making a one-time donation.
