St Andrews Rifle Club Coach Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Students

Patrick Jess, former coach for the University of St Andrews Rifle Club, has been found guilty of four charges of sexual assault at Dundee Sheriff Court. Jess, 52, was a volunteer for the club, reportedly allowing his victims to falsely believe that he was an “historical researcher” at the University. He stated in his trial that he was ashamed to admit his role as a stay-at-home husband.

He told the court, “I wanted people to believe I was normal and had a normal job. I let people believe something that wasn’t true.”

“I didn’t tell my friends and family I was unemployed and a house husband. What I wanted to do was teach people. I felt like a failure.”

One student was sexually assaulted by Jess from September 2019 to March 2023. Jess touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions, including while fixing her shooting jacket. Jess is reported to have said, “I don’t know how to do this without sexually assaulting you.” His lawyer claimed in court that Jess was merely “making a joke”.

Jess was convicted of sexually assaulting another student between 2021 and 2023. Again, Jess was found guilty of inappropriately touching her. Jess was also found guilty of touching a third student inappropriately; during the trial it was revealed that Jess would “cuddle in bed for many hours” with the third student, who is said to have been suffering from poor mental health at the time.

A fourth student Jess sexually assaulted between 2022 and 2023 was the victim of sexual remarks and inappropriate touching of her breasts. In court, Jess was asked if he thought his behaviour was predatory, to which he responded, “No, I do not.”

“I have got a way in which I interact with people — if I share an interest with somebody, I share it really intensely. If somebody asks me to help them about something I just keep going. I would go into hours and days and weeks in an attempt to fix things.”

“I have a very, very dark — fairly extreme — sense of humour. I have also tended to use double entendre.”

Before convicting Jess, Sheriff Murray said that he had spent longer going through his notes than any other case in fourteen years. Jess is due to be sentenced in May.

The wife of Patrick Jess, who is the headteacher at two primary schools — Wormit and Balmerino — has stood by her husband through the court proceedings. This has sparked concern over Mrs Jess continuing her role, particularly as she also holds the role of Child Protection Officer at the schools.

In response to news that Mrs Jess would be returning to teaching, a petition was started by Kendra Mann and Melanie McDermott, whose children attend Wormit Primary School. The petition, “Say No to Mrs Jess”, has accumulated over 400 signatures. According to the Fife Council website, a petition only requires twenty signatures to be considered. The petition states: “While Mrs Jess did not commit the crimes, her choice to stand by a sex offender says that morally she should not be in her current job.” McDermott told The Courier that there are parents threatening to take their children out of school if Mrs Jess returns to teaching.

Donald Macleod, Fife Council's Executive Director for Education, responded to the petition, stating, “I don’t share those concerns [...] and deem them to be grossly unfair to the substantive [headteacher] but nevertheless respect your right to both hold them and express them.”

“It is hugely regrettable that you have chosen to take this course of action which brings further unnecessary negative publicity and attention on the school by bringing the council, the education service, the school, and its community into disrepute in this regard.”

Patrick Jess has been placed on the sex offenders register, and the University of St Andrews have removed him as a volunteer.

The Saint contacted both the University and the Rifle Club for a statement, but both disclosed that they are unable to comment given the ongoing nature of the case.

Image by University of St Andrews