FORTROSE MAN ALISTAIR URQUHART SENTENCED AFTER SEX OFFENDER REHAB AND SOCIAL WORK SUPERVISION

In June 2021, Alistair Urquhart, a resident of Fortrose, faced a series of legal actions following his conviction for engaging in inappropriate online communications with a minor. The case was brought before Inverness Sheriff Court, where Sheriff Sara Matheson imposed a series of penalties aimed at rehabilitation and monitoring rather than immediate incarceration.

Initially, in a ruling delivered in June 2021, Sheriff Matheson ordered Urquhart to be placed under social work supervision for a period of 24 months. This supervision required him to actively participate in a sex offender rehabilitation programme, which is designed to address underlying issues and prevent future offending. Additionally, Urquhart was mandated to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service, emphasizing a rehabilitative approach rather than punitive incarceration. As part of the court’s decision, he was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for a duration of two years, ensuring ongoing monitoring and public safety.

The legal proceedings stemmed from an incident in May 2021, when Urquhart, aged 54 at the time, was caught by a vigilante group known as Hampshire Predator Hunters. The group had set up a sting operation, creating a fake online account under the alias “Kaisha,” claiming to be a 13-year-old girl. The account was active on an internet chat room, where Urquhart engaged in conversations with the fictitious minor.

During the court hearing, Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood detailed the nature of the online exchanges. She explained that the group’s operatives received a reply from Urquhart after he inquired about “Kaisha’s” age. Once he was told she was 13, Urquhart shared his mobile phone number with her. The communications quickly escalated into sexually suggestive messages, with Urquhart making explicit comments such as, “you look fantastic sweetheart for your age babes ok xxxx,” and asking, “What would you do if we were together?” He further stated, “Kiss and cuddle with you sweetheart. Maybe more if you wanted to. Me and you naked together ok darling?”

In late May 2019, “Kaisha” informed Urquhart that she was going to a campsite in Fortrose for a holiday with her auntie. The group arranged to meet him there. On June 3, 2019, the vigilante group, along with “Kaisha” and other members, traveled to Fortrose and confronted Urquhart at his workplace. The meeting was recorded by the group, and they subsequently contacted the police to report the incident.

Following the confrontation, the case was adjourned to June 21, 2021, to allow for a background report and an assessment of Urquhart’s suitability for a restriction of liberty order. The case highlights ongoing concerns about online grooming and the importance of vigilant community efforts to combat such offenses, especially in small communities like Fortrose.