CALLUM MCLAY SHOCKS BLACKBURN WITH DISTURBING SEXUAL MESSAGES TO 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In August 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Callum Mclay, a well-known karate coach based in Blackburn, who was accused of sending inappropriate and sexually suggestive messages to a 15-year-old girl.The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising serious concerns about the safety and trust placed in individuals working with children.
According to reports, Mclay, who was recognized as a national karate coach by the governing body of karate in Scotland last year, engaged in a series of inappropriate communications with the teenage girl via Facebook.
The girl, who had previously received a sports massage from Mclay, was left deeply unsettled by his subsequent messages.
One such message read, “Hope you enjoyed your massage as much as I did putting my hands on you,” which was particularly distressing given the context of their prior interaction.
Following this, Mclay sent a string of other suggestive messages, which he instructed the girl to delete.
The messages included comments like “Hope I didn’t embarrass you too much LOL” and a warning not to tell another girl, T***, about their exchanges, claiming she would be “mortified” if she knew.
The girl’s mother, who has expressed her outrage, called for Mclay to be permanently barred from working with children.
She emphasized the breach of trust and the impact on her family, stating, “She’s known him since she was about seven, and I knew him a lot longer than that.
He was someone we considered safe.” The mother further described the emotional toll on her family and expressed her hope that Mclay would face a severe sentence.
“It’s absolutely sickening to think he had feelings like that for a child—someone he had known since primary school.
I hope he never teaches children again,” she added.
Mclay operates a karate school and massage business in West Lothian, where he also claims to be a full member of the Scottish Massage Therapists’ Organisation.
His website states that he is involved in “Massage in Schools,” working with children aged four to 12.
The incident in question occurred on March 11, when the girl was dropped off at Mclay’s home for a pre-arranged massage session.
Later that day, Mclay sent her a message expressing his pleasure at having worked on her, saying, “Hope you enjoyed your massage as much as I did putting my hands on you.” He followed this with a second message: “Hope I didn’t embarrass you too much LOL,” and a third, warning her not to tell another girl, T***, about their interaction.
He then urged her to delete all messages, which she did, but only after her grandmother took note of their contents.
The situation escalated after midnight on March 12, when Mclay sent more messages to the girl.
His first message read, “Goodnight.
I might be pi**ed, but missing you xx,” to which she responded with “Night.” He then inquired, “how are you still awake?” and suggested she could have stayed at his house, saying, “You never said.
You could have stayed at mine xc.” The conversation took a more serious turn when Mclay asked, “Me and you need to have a serious chat… xxx,” and then questioned her feelings, asking, “How do you feel about me?
Be honest xx.” The girl, shocked by the tone, responded with “What?!” and Mclay replied cryptically, “Later xx.” In the morning, the girl confided in her mother about the messages, prompting police involvement.
During police interviews, Mclay admitted to sending the messages, claiming he had been watching rugby with friends and was intoxicated at the time.
He stated that his wife and children were away, and he was alone at home.
Mclay acknowledged that he sent the messages and admitted that they could be interpreted as inappropriate.
He also claimed there had been “previous flirtations” with the girl but did not specify what might have happened if she had visited his house.
He subsequently pleaded guilty at Livingston Sheriff Court to charges of sending sexually suggestive electronic messages to a minor.
Sheriff Susan Craig released him on bail pending sentencing next month and ordered him to register as a sex offender.
Outside the courtroom, Mclay refused to comment and was seen hiding under his wife’s umbrella, despite the dry weather, indicating his reluctance to speak publicly about the case.
