CHRISTOPHER BIRRELL FROM BONNYRIGG SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN GOREBRIDGE

In November 2012, a disturbing case of child sexual abuse emerged involving Christopher Birrell, a young man from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian. Birrell was found guilty of abusing two young children while acting as their babysitter in Gorebridge, a nearby town. The incident, which took place in 2006, involved a seven-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl, both of whom were under Birrell’s supervision at the time.

On Tuesday, the High Court in Edinburgh delivered its verdict, sentencing Birrell to a two-year prison term. Lord Bracadale, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of the offences, stating, “These are serious offences. In each case, the children were very young.” The judge acknowledged that Birrell was a minor at the time of the crimes and took into account his personal circumstances, which were described as difficult. Additionally, the court noted that Birrell, now aged 22, had shown remorse for his actions, which was considered during sentencing.

Birrell had previously admitted to indecent behaviour towards the young victims. The court heard that the abuse occurred in Gorebridge, where Birrell was babysitting the children. The young boy later confided in a relative that he had been sexually abused after playing with his pet dogs. According to the boy, one of the dogs jumped on him, prompting him to say, “Don’t rape me.” When questioned by the relative, the boy was initially hesitant and dismissed as joking, but he eventually revealed that Birrell had “done something” to him. With some difficulty, he provided details of how Birrell had made him perform sexual acts and had molested him.

Prosecutor Alison Di Rollo described the child's account, stating, “He described the accused chasing him when he played in the street and threatening to batter him if he told anyone.” The court also heard that Birrell had engaged in a game of “dares” with the young girl, during which he inappropriately put his hand down her trousers.

Defense solicitor advocate Dave Allan explained that Birrell had experienced bullying, which contributed to a period of isolation in his life. He emphasized that Birrell was between 15 and 16 years old at the time of the offences. Despite these mitigating factors, Lord Bracadale ordered that Birrell be placed under supervision for an additional two years and be registered on the sex offenders register, reflecting the seriousness of the crimes committed in Gorebridge.