A SCOTS carer who stalked a woman and sent videos of him singing was struck off the register after asking a service user to email and call him.
Douglas Boal was found guilty at Aberdeen Sheriff Court of sending unwanted texts and emails to a woman outside his workplace with links to YouTube videos of him singing between March and April 2022.
The 62-year-old from Aberdeen had been working as a support worker for Living Ambitions at the time of his offences.
He was found to have requested that the woman visit his home, declared that he loved her and was convicted of stalking after refusing to cease contact.
Boal was also found to have later asked former service user “BB” to give his contact details to former service user “AA” in May 2022 after leaving employment.
He also asked for her email address and gave his home address, stating that AA was his “best friend”.
Care watchdog the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) subsequently held a hearing into Boal’s behaviour, finding him unfit for the profession.
The SSSC’s full report reads: “Between 25 March 2022 and 26 April 2022 both dates inclusive at an address unknown to the SSSC but known to the prosecutor within the jurisdiction of Aberdeen Sheriff Court […]
“You did engage in a course of conduct which caused person known to you, fear or alarm in that you did repeatedly and persistently send her unwanted text messages and emails containing links to social media videos created by you for her.
“[You did] request that she visit your home address and state that you were in love with her, and refuse to desist despite repeated request to cease contact and having been clocked by her; contrary to Section 39(1) of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.
“On exact dates unknown between or around 6 May 2022 and 10 May 2022, having left your job as a support worker with Living Ambitions you did:
“Send a letter to male former service user AA, in which you: asked them to give you a call on your personal mobile number, gave them your home address.
“Send a letter to female former service user BB, in which you: asked her to contact you on your personal mobile number, told her she was “one of [your] best friends”, asked for her email address.
“On unknown dates between on or around 10 May 2022 and on or around 12 May 2022, send text messages to former female service user BB from your personal mobile phone.
The SSSC panel agreed that Boal’s fitness to practice was impaired, stating: “Social services workers must not form inappropriate relationships with people who use services.
“By contacting two vulnerable service users by letter providing them with your personal contact details and asking them to contact you, and contacting service user BB via text message, you have breached professional boundaries which are in place to protect both workers and service users.
“The contact with service users was after you had left the service. You attempted to form friendships with both service users and in relation to BB you stated that they were ‘one of [your] best friends’.
“This is not acceptable behaviour for a person working within the social services sector.
“Your contact with AA and BB was unexpected and had not been discussed or agreed with any former manager of the service or the service users’ social worker.
“Your actions placed the service users at risk of future harm as they would be unaware that such contact was inappropriate.
“Social services workers must also behave, while in or outside of work, in a way which would not bring their suitability to work within the sector into question.
“You have been convicted of an offence contrary to Section 39(1) of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.
“You sent text messages and emails persistently to the victim of that offence. You also requested they visit your home address and stated that you were in love with them.
“This communication was unwanted and you failed to cease contact with this person when you were asked to do so by them. Your actions have a potential to cause distress and harm to the person involved.
“This also shows an inability to follow the law. Overall, your behaviour is serious, and you have failed to show insight or regret for your actions or the effect your actions may have had on the victims involved.
“Your behaviour fell below the standards expected of a social services worker.
“Due to the seriousness of your actions, lack of insight and engagement, there is an ongoing public protection and public interest risk arising from your behaviour.”
Boal was found to have shown no remorse for his actions and did not fully engage with the SSSC.
The panel thus agreed that a removal from the register was the most appropriate sanction.
