ANDREW SINCLAIR SHOCKS EAST KILBRIDE WITH SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In October 2017, a disturbing case unfolded in East Kilbride involving Andrew Sinclair, a 30-year-old man who admitted to engaging in inappropriate and illegal sexual activities with a young girl aged just 13. Sinclair appeared before Hamilton Sheriff Court, where he faced serious charges related to his conduct.

Sinclair pleaded guilty to multiple allegations, including placing his hand on the young girl’s leg and French kissing her on several occasions. These incidents reportedly took place in a wooded area near East Kilbride Town Centre, as well as at other locations, over a period spanning from May 1 to August 25, 2016. The court was told that these acts were not isolated, but part of a pattern of inappropriate behavior.

Furthermore, Sinclair admitted to repeatedly sending the girl text messages of a sexual nature. These messages included explicit content and explicit requests, such as asking her to be filmed having sex. The messages were exchanged between May 1 and August 26, 2016, and revealed a disturbing level of predatory behavior. Sinclair’s actions extended beyond messaging, as he also met the girl in person, with one such meeting occurring on August 8, 2016, at The Murray, where he intended to engage in sexual activity, fully aware that she was under the age of 16.

During the proceedings, Sinclair entered a plea of not guilty to charges of failing to appear at court and to a separate allegation of meeting the girl with the intent of sexual activity, knowing her age. The Crown accepted his pleas, and these charges were not pursued further.

The case was built on evidence provided by police investigations, which were initiated after receiving information from a third party. The police were alerted to rumors involving Sinclair, who was then 29, and the young girl. Officers attended Sinclair’s home, where he was initially evasive but eventually admitted to having been in a relationship with the girl. He claimed that their relationship began through messaging, with him telling her she was attractive. Sinclair maintained that he believed she was 15 at the time.

According to the prosecution, Sinclair would pick the girl up in his car, and they would share kisses. Their communication continued through messages, and they would meet up to kiss in person. Sinclair also bought her gifts, which she reportedly kept under a different name in her phone to hide their connection. The police recovered her mobile phone and examined its contents, discovering numerous lewd texts from a number matching Sinclair’s. These messages included explicit descriptions of sexual acts Sinclair wanted to perform on the girl and even plans to make a video for their mutual sexual gratification.

Sinclair’s mobile phone was seized during the investigation, but authorities found nothing of particular value on it beyond the incriminating messages. During an interview at Hamilton police station on September 13 of the previous year, Sinclair confirmed that the phone number from which the texts were sent belonged to him. His legal representatives stated that the plea had been previously agreed upon, although Sinclair had been sentenced to a period of imprisonment for unrelated matters.

Judge Marie Smart deferred sentencing until November 9 to allow for background reports to be prepared. In the meantime, Sinclair was placed on the sex offenders’ register, reflecting the severity of his actions and the ongoing concern for public safety in East Kilbride.