Twin brother of Paige Doherty killer was a registered sex offender after savagely attacking woman in 2003
George Leathem was put on the sex offenders' register after savagely attacking a woman in 2003
The twin brother of Paige Doherty murderer was a registered sex offender
George Leadem was forced to register as a sexual offender after savagely attacking a woman in 2003.
George put his hand over his victim’s mouth before grabbing her breasts and buttocks during the attack in Drumchapel, Glasgow
He escaped prison after pleading guilty to sexual assault in November 2004.
He was instead given a three-year probation order, along with 200 hours community service at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
George was also ordered to place his name on the sex offenders' register for three years.
This week sicko John Leathem tried to justify his butchering of schoolgirl Paige Doherty by claiming his twin brother's past had been a trigger.
His defence lawyer Ian Duguid QC said the schoolgirl, 15 had threatened to report John for molestation after he refused her a job at his Deli shop.
He then stabbed Paige 61 times.
Duguid said "He panicked.
"His twin brother was sentenced for a sexual offence in 2004 which involved him being placed on the sex offenders register.
"The comment alarmed him so much.
The vile excuse was rubbished by Judge Rita Rae who said she was struggling to accept the explanation.
A source last night said "Very few people will known about George's conviction but now everyone does because his sicko brother has used it to try and explain his slaughter of innocent Paige.
“Anyone that sat through his mitigation knew it was probably rubbish and his lawyer even warned the media to ‘report it responsibly’.
“Maybe Leathem should tell the truth and that wouldn’t be a problem.
“The locals now know about George’s conviction and it’s all thanks to his maniac twin.”
After George was arrested, he used his brother’s former home in Drumchapel as his bail address. He was last known to be staying in Bonhill, Dunbartonshire, but a neighbour said he had quit his flat several weeks ago.
He added: “We only ever saw him at night.”
George also defended his twin on the day he was charged with killing Paige after hiding her body in his shed then dumping it by a road in March this year.
When asked about his brother’s arrest, he told The Scottish Sun: “He never did anything.”
He could not be contacted last night.
John Leathem admitted murder and faces life in jail when sentenced.