DAVID GRAVES FROM KIRRIEMUIR SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST CHILDREN IN EDINBURGH

In April 2014, a 20-year-old man named David Graves from Kirriemuir, Angus, was sentenced to serve over five years in prison after being convicted of serious crimes involving the grooming and sexual abuse of underage girls. The case was heard at the High Court in Edinburgh, where disturbing details of Graves' actions emerged, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior facilitated through social media platforms.

Graves had engaged in sending explicit messages to schoolgirls, including a 12-year-old girl, with whom he admitted to participating in sexual acts. The investigation was triggered when the mother of the 12-year-old girl discovered topless images of her daughter on her phone. This discovery led to further revelations, including the fact that Graves had a collection of indecent images of children stored on his computer. Police also uncovered that Graves had been in contact with a 13-year-old girl, whom he also sexually molested, and had exchanged messages with other males online, including a man in Norway involved in discussions about child sexual abuse.

The court heard that Graves' conduct spanned over a year, during which he targeted multiple young girls through social networking sites. Lord Boyd of Duncansby, presiding over the case, stated that Graves had groomed these girls and committed serious offenses despite knowing the wrongfulness of his actions and being aware of their young ages. The judge emphasized that Graves' behavior was calculated and sustained, involving manipulative communication and sexual exploitation.

Although the judge initially considered a sentence of seven years' detention, he took into account Graves' guilty pleas and remorse, resulting in a reduced sentence of five years and three months. Additionally, Graves was ordered to be placed under supervision for a further three years after his release, with the possibility of returning to prison if he breaches the conditions of his license. As part of his sentence, Graves, who was formerly residing in Kirriemuir, was also placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.

Earlier in March 2014, Graves had already admitted to similar offenses, including sexually assaulting the same underage girls and sending sexual communications via social media. Police found more than 100 indecent images on his laptop, including 22 videos of extreme content. The case detailed how the victimized girls, including a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old, had been manipulated through online messaging, with Graves suggesting they could stay with him and engaging in sexually explicit conversations. The girls had met Graves in person at locations such as a fast food restaurant in Forfar, where Graves worked, and on multiple occasions, he had physically assaulted them, including attempts to kiss, hug, and expose himself.

Graves' actions prompted police to warn him about the potential consequences of his behavior, and he expressed concern about how his conduct might affect his future prospects, including joining the Army or traveling to America. His defense counsel acknowledged the seriousness of the offenses, and the court decided to defer sentencing to allow for a comprehensive background report. Graves was subsequently placed on the sex offenders' register, and the court emphasized the need for strict supervision to prevent further harm.