ASHLEY ALLAN FROM MONTROSE SENTENCED AFTER REPEATED SEX OFFENCES AND ONLINE GROOMING INCIDENTS

In a disturbing case that highlights the ongoing threat posed by individuals with a history of sexual offences, Ashley Allan, a resident of Montrose, has been sentenced to a significant prison term after committing a series of serious crimes involving minors and online exploitation.

Allan’s criminal activities came to light after he was released early from prison, only to continue his predatory behavior. His latest offences, which mirror his previous crimes, involved grooming a young girl through social media platforms, specifically Snapchat, where he targeted a 14-year-old girl, falsely claiming to be 15. His actions included coercing her into sending nude images and then extorting her by threatening to share these images with her friends. The girl’s school teacher discovered the threatening messages, prompting immediate police intervention.

According to prosecutor Stewart Duncan, during the investigation, police learned that Allan had falsely claimed to reside near the girl’s school. The messages revealed his persistent attempts to obtain explicit photographs, despite her refusal. The girl was subjected to threats of rumors and exposure, which caused her considerable distress. The situation escalated when police raided Allan’s home, where they found him attempting to escape through a window. Inside, officers uncovered a horrifying collection of child abuse images stored in organized folders on his mobile device. The material included over 30 hours of depraved videos depicting children being raped, some of the most severe forms of abuse.

At the time of his arrest, Allan, aged 27 and an inmate at HMP Perth, pleaded guilty to charges under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act, as well as possessing indecent images of children. The offences occurred between April 24 and May 1 of the previous year at his residence in Montrose, Angus.

During the court proceedings, Sheriff Alastair Brown condemned Allan’s actions, emphasizing the severity of his grooming and coercive tactics. The sheriff remarked, “He could try not doing it. He groomed her and placed pressure on her – that’s not something you do by accident or just stumble into.”

Legal representatives acknowledged the gravity of the crimes, with one stating that a custodial sentence was inevitable given the nature of the offences. Ultimately, Sheriff Brown sentenced Allan to serve the remaining six months of his original sentence in addition to a new three-year term, which will run consecutively. Furthermore, Allan was placed on the sex offenders register for life. The sheriff highlighted the long-term psychological damage inflicted on the victim, noting that her ability to form future relationships could be severely impacted. He also pointed out that Allan’s admission of possessing and sharing the images demonstrated a disturbing awareness of his misconduct, making the case particularly serious.