GEORGE MCPHEE'S SHOCKING ABDUCTION IN INVERNESS AND WICK: A CRIME FROM THE NORTH

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Wick and Inverness, George McPhee, a man with a troubling criminal history, has been sentenced to serve a two-year and three-month prison term for the abduction of a young woman. The incident unfolded on the streets of Inverness, where McPhee, a 47-year-old resident of North Murchison Street, Wick, was found guilty of unlawfully taking a woman against her will and transporting her over a significant distance, from Inverness to Tain, in his vehicle.

McPhee’s past includes a previous conviction for two sexual assaults, which was highlighted during the court proceedings. The verdict was delivered after a four-day trial at Inverness Sheriff Court, where the jury listened to harrowing details of the victim, Nicola Calder’s, ordeal. The jury, composed of eight men and seven women, reached a majority decision in favor of guilt after deliberating post-lunch.

Prosecutor Roderick Urquhart revealed that McPhee had previously served time in prison in 2007 for sexual offenses. Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of the crime, stating, “You took Nicola Calder off the street in Inverness on the false pretence of buying her a drink. You did it with the intent of displacing her to a strange town two to three hours up the A9. It’s not difficult to infer your intentions were far from altruistic. It’s also clear she was vulnerable, and the evidence paints a picture of someone moving into a state of concern and fear. Anything less than a custodial sentence would be wholly unrealistic.”

During the trial, McPhee denied the charges, claiming that Nicola Calder had gone with him voluntarily. He insisted that she had not been abducted and that he had not taken advantage of her, asserting that he merely offered her food and drink before she entered his vehicle. The court heard that McPhee had been driving a brand-new Vauxhall Astra, with a witness, Alistair Budge, who was behind the wheel during the journey, confirming that Ms Calder had not asked to stop at any point.

Nicola Calder, who was 23 at the time, recounted her distress during the journey. She testified that she became upset, crying and screaming after McPhee announced they were heading to Wick. She managed to escape from the vehicle at the Scotsburn junction in Tain, but McPhee allegedly grabbed her in an attempt to force her back into the car. The court also examined a series of alarming text messages sent by Ms Calder during the trip, which revealed her growing fear and confusion. In one message to her sister, she wrote, “Shelly don’t phone me. Am in the back of a car to Nairn. I thought I knew the owner of the car. Can’t get out. They locked the doors.”

Ms Calder described how she tried to get the driver to pull over, but the doors remained locked, and the vehicle continued its journey. McPhee claimed that if she had asked to stop, he would have complied, and insisted that she was aware of their destination, which was supposed to be Inverness. He denied that she was crying or upset during the trip, stating that he himself was unwell and vomited into his hat at Tain, after which Ms Calder allegedly helped him out of concern. He further claimed that he only went after her to ensure her safety when she ran across the road.

The prosecution highlighted that McPhee was in control of the situation, instructing the driver on what to do, and that witnesses heard Ms Calder’s screams during the incident. Roderick Urquhart emphasized that McPhee was aware of Ms Calder’s vulnerability, noting that he had offered her food, cigarettes, and vodka as part of his manipulation. The prosecutor suggested that McPhee’s true intention was to lure her into his vehicle and exploit her.

In his police statement, Mr. Budge admitted that he occasionally drove for McPhee to have a drink, and on the day of the incident, he was tasked with collecting beer and visiting friends before heading to Inverness. He described McPhee’s behavior upon arrival, including being refused service at a bar due to intoxication, and then going to a McDonald’s for a meal. The journey from Inverness to Wick was described as a desire to go for a drink, although Mr. Budge claimed he was unaware of the exact destination. He observed McPhee feeling sick at Tain and saw Ms Calder speaking to other women before McPhee returned to the vehicle and they headed back to Wick.

This case underscores the dangers faced by vulnerable individuals and highlights the importance of vigilance in protecting those at risk. McPhee’s history and the details of this incident serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding personal safety and criminal behavior in the region.