Racing tipster found guilty of indecent communication

Kevin Booth denied indecently communicating with the woman at his Highland lodge

A millionaire horse racing tipster has been found guilty of indecent communication with a woman working at his Highland lodge.

Kevin Booth was convicted after the woman made secret recordings of some of their conversations at Lochdhu Lodge in Altnabreac, Caithness in 2022.

In one recording Booth was heard asking her if she knew how to spank, while in another he offered her extra money to perform a sexual act.

The 65-year-old denied the charge at Wick Sheriff Court but the sheriff told him she did not accept his evidence and did not find it credible.

In a separate civil case earlier this year, Booth was given a five-year overseas travel ban after a sheriff found he trafficked and exploited women and violently whipped them at Lochdhu Lodge and overseas.

The court heard that the woman started working in Booth's home in August 2022 and the role included housekeeping and giving massages.

In the recordings played in court, Booth could be heard asking her how much it would take for her to perform a sexual act.

On one occasion he said that £100 for 5-10 minutes could be useful for her family.

He could also be heard asking the woman: "If your child was sick and needed hospital treatment then you would say yes to that, right?"

She ultimately appeared to reply by saying it would depend on the situation.

Kevin Booth arrived at Wick Sheriff Court wearing a brown mask

Giving evidence earlier this year, the victim told the court she started recording conversations with Booth following advice from her husband.

The woman said she had been scared and nervous, adding at one point there was "fear in my chest but I tried not to show it."

Booth had denied the charge against him and told the court he believed the conversations were consensual.

He claimed the discussion about spanking had arisen in the context of parents not being allowed to smack children in Scotland.

Booth said spanking became a standing joke between the pair and denied that he had gained any sexual pleasure from the conversation.

But Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald found him guilty, placed him on the sex offenders register and deferred sentencing until next month.

She told him this was a serious offence and there was an imbalance of power, as well as a breach of trust between employer and employee.

She described the victim and her husband as "credible witnesses".