HIGHLAND PAEDOPHILE DODGES JAIL AFTER DISTURBING ONLINE MESSAGES AND INDECENT IMAGES
Highland sheriff Sheriff Sara Matheson was visibly upset and needed to compose herself after hearing details of the actions of Ross-shire dad David Murchison.She sentenced Murchison, aged 41, who was found guilty of serious offences involving online communications and indecent images.
Murchison believed he was chatting in a private chat room with a like-minded mother but it was actually an undercover police officer.
He sent disgusting and menacing messages requesting images of a child, expressing sexual desires and fantasizing about children.
He also covertly captured photos of a young girl in various states of undress and attempted to exchange images with the officer.
Murchison admitted to breaching the Communications Act by sending offensive and indecent messages and breaching the peace by taking illicit photographs of a minor.
On sentencing, Sheriff Sara Matheson expressed her anger and stated she was temporarily unable to continue the hearing in a fury.
She acknowledged the seriousness of the offences but decided against a jail sentence, opting instead for a community payback order with supervision, considering the early plea and other factors.
She ordered Murchison to be under social work supervision for three years, registered as a sex offender for the same period, and participate in a rehabilitation programme.
Murchison was also sentenced to 210 hours of unpaid community work.
Sheriff Matheson warned that Murchison posed a risk to children and expressed her desire for a long jail sentence if he breaches the court orders.
After leaving the court, Murchison changed his clothes and left wearing a hooded coat, without commenting.
He was found guilty of offences that classify him as a sexual abuser and a sex offender.
