Ex-monk scared girls

Jun 6 2008

A 60-YEAR-OLD former Buddhist monk was convicted at Perth Sheriff Court of frightening two nine-year-old girls in the Craigie area of the city.

James Nash Garden, of Darnhall Crescent, was found guilty after trial of engaging the two youngsters in conversation in Abbot Street, Perth, on May 5, following them and running after them, placing them in a state of fear and alarm and committing a breach of the peace.

The two girls gave their evidence via a CCTV link.

Sheriff D.W. Hall said there were “several aspects” of the case, and the accused’s life, which concerned him and he deferred sentence until July 15 for social inquiry and community service reports.

The accused, who has a string of previous convictions, was ordered to be of good behaviour until then.

A testimonial letter persuaded the Sheriff to free Garden on bail.

It was submitted by Keith Forrester-Paton, of Darnhall Crescent, who is a Buddhist chaplain at Perth Prison.

Garden stayed with him for a few days when he was freed from prison on May 2.

“I came to know him much better and to respect him enormously,” he said of the stay.

He said Garden spent seven years as a monk at a Buddhist abbey.

“I would not worry if I had to leave him in charge of my own grandchildren,” he added.