ALAN MESSRUTHER SCARBOROUGH SEX OFFENDER STRIKES AGAIN IN SCARBOROUGH

In March 2010, a disturbing case unfolded involving Alan Messruther, a known sex offender from Scarborough, who once again found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation. The case revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that has left the local community deeply unsettled and authorities determined to ensure justice is served.

Messruther, aged 23 at the time, was already registered on the sex offenders' register due to a prior conviction for engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old girl. His previous conviction involved grooming and sexual contact with another minor, which had resulted in a jail sentence. Despite this, he failed to disclose his latest victim or her family to authorities, raising concerns about his compliance with legal obligations.

He was reported to have no fixed address, and during the investigation, it was revealed that he had been incarcerated for an armed robbery, a fact that left the young victim feeling betrayed and confused when she learned the truth. Messruther appeared before York Crown Court, where he faced serious charges related to the abduction and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl from Scarborough.

In court, he was sentenced to an indeterminate prison term, with a minimum of two years to serve. The sentence reflected the gravity of his actions and the ongoing concern about his potential risk to the public. A psychiatrist and the probation service classified Messruther as a significant concern, emphasizing that he would not be eligible for release until a parole board was convinced he no longer posed a danger.

Prosecutor Nicholas Worsley explained that Messruther had been released from prison in March of the previous year and had registered with police in Scarborough as required by law. However, within weeks of his release, he was caught engaging in inappropriate contact with the same teenage girl, including kissing her, despite warnings from her family and police authorities to cease all contact.

The situation escalated on June 18 of the previous year when Messruther met the girl outside her school and took her away for a 24-hour period. During this time, he took her to various locations around Scarborough, including a cemetery, before ultimately taking her to his mother’s garden shed. There, he forced her to perform a sexual act, an act that has had lasting repercussions on her well-being.

The girl was later found wandering in a distressed state, and police collected DNA evidence linking Messruther to the crime. Despite this, during police interviews, he denied involvement and refused to answer further questions, complicating the investigation.

The victim provided a heartfelt Victim Impact Statement to the court, revealing that her mental health had deteriorated significantly. She disclosed that she had begun drinking heavily in an attempt to forget the trauma she endured.

Defense lawyer Nicholas Barker argued that Messruther was not particularly intelligent and claimed that the girl had gone with him willingly, without any force being used. Barker also mentioned that Messruther was involved in a relationship with a 24-year-old woman at the time of the offenses.

However, Judge James Spencer QC described the crimes as exhibiting clear predatory behavior. He expressed concern about Messruther’s ongoing risk to the community, especially to young girls, and emphasized the need for strict measures to prevent further harm. As a result, Messruther was also subjected to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact with individuals under 16.

Scarborough CID Detective Constable Andy Hall commented on the case, stating, “Messruther is a very dangerous and calculating offender who took advantage of a teenage girl. He now has to face the consequences of his sickening actions behind bars.” The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to protect vulnerable minors and to hold repeat offenders accountable for their actions.