Elspeth Wood, of Hamilton, was given a community payback order with three years supervision and ordered to attend counselling.

A non-harassment order, banning 57-year-old Wood from contacting or attempting to contact her victim, Monica Lennon MSP, was also granted for a three-year period.

The sheriff accepted the prosecutor’s submissions that there was a significant sexual element to the offence, and placed Wood on the sex offenders register for the same period.

Wood had pled guilty to an offence under Section 38(1) of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 at Hamilton Sheriff Court on 10 February 2025.

The court heard that Wood approached Ms Lennon on 27 May 2024 while they were out canvassing for the election. Wood made a sexual comment before hugging and licking her victim’s neck.

Les Brown, procurator fiscal for South Strathclyde, said: “Elspeth Wood has been held accountable for her unacceptable and disturbing behaviour following this prosecution.

“Elected representatives and officials should not have to suffer any kind of abusive behaviour during election business or while supporting and engaging with constituents.

“The procurator fiscal recognises the trauma that such behaviour can cause and is committed to taking appropriate action to address such offending and ensuring that women are protected.”