WARE MAN BRUCE MURDOCH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRL IN WARE

In April 2013, a man from Ware was handed a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a girl under the age of 15. The individual, identified as Bruce Murdoch, aged 41, was found guilty of multiple charges related to his inappropriate conduct towards a minor.

Throughout the trial at St Albans Crown Court, it was revealed that Murdoch had exchanged hundreds of text messages with the 14-year-old girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons. The court heard that on one occasion, while intoxicated, Murdoch admitted to sending her a photograph of his genitalia. The girl, who was between 14 and 15 years old at the time, alleged that Murdoch had kissed her and engaged in sexual acts with her between August and December 2007.

Murdoch, who works professionally as a gardener and resides on Wheatsheaf Drive in Ware, denied the allegations of sexual activity. During his testimony, he claimed that no sexual acts had taken place and that his interactions with the girl were driven by her ability to make him feel better during periods of depression and loneliness. He explained that he had been married in 1995 but divorced in 2001, and at the time of the incidents, he was suffering from depression and excessive alcohol consumption.

"I was drinking heavily, using cocaine and I was depressed, down and lonely," Murdoch stated during the court proceedings. When questioned by his lawyer, Andel Singh, Murdoch denied ever kissing the girl or engaging in any sexual acts. However, he acknowledged that there had been a significant amount of telephone contact between them, describing it as frequent and emotionally supportive. "We would chat a lot. She would make me feel good when I was down and lonely. She talked to me and was responsive to me. I can’t believe how many telephone calls and texts there were," he said.

When asked whether he believed his actions were appropriate, Murdoch admitted that he did not consider the implications at the time, stating, "I didn’t think about it at the time." He also expressed regret over a message he sent, in which he said he would wait until the girl turned 16. Murdoch confessed that he had sent her a picture of his penis, claiming it was meant as a joke, and expressed deep remorse for this action, saying, "I regretfully sent her a picture of my penis — we were joking. I am truly sorry for it and deeply regret it."

Murdoch faced five charges of sexual activity with a child and one charge of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. The court found him guilty on all counts, and Judge Martin Griffith sentenced him to five years in prison. Additionally, Murdoch was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses to the community in Ware and beyond.