HAROLD RATTRAY'S SHOCKING SEX OFFENSES IN BALBEGGIE AND PERTHSHIRE

In December 2014, a disturbing incident unfolded in the quiet village of Balbeggie, Perthshire, where a 72-year-old man named Harold Rattray was found to have committed a serious sexual assault against a young girl. The incident occurred late at night when Rattray secretly entered the girl’s bedroom while she was peacefully sleeping. According to reports, he knelt beside her bed and, in a brazen act, slipped his hand beneath the covers, engaging in a sexual assault that left the victim and her family deeply traumatized.

His actions did not go unnoticed for long. The girl’s father, who was unaware of his presence initially, discovered Rattray moments later. The man was caught with his hand positioned on “the middle of the girl’s body,” a detail that underscored the severity of the offense. The shock and horror of the situation prompted immediate police involvement, and Rattray was taken into custody.

During his appearance at Perth Sheriff Court, Rattray denied any sexual motivation behind his actions. He claimed that his behavior was influenced by alcohol, stating, “too much drink but that’s no excuse,” and apologized for his conduct before leaving the house without further comment. Despite his denial, evidence revealed that this was not an isolated incident. It was established that Rattray had previously assaulted the same girl approximately six months earlier, touching her on the leg in a separate incident at an address in Perthshire.

Details from the court proceedings indicated that Rattray had admitted to police officers that he had touched his young victim, although he refused to accept the full extent of the accounts provided by witnesses. The court was informed that the first assault occurred in October 2013, when Rattray sat beside the girl on a sofa, covered their legs with a jacket and a newspaper, and then touched her on the leg beneath the covers.

Further, it was revealed that in April of the current year, Rattray committed another offense while drinking at a different Perthshire residence. During this incident, the girl’s father left the house momentarily to use the toilet. Seizing the opportunity, Rattray entered her bedroom. The father returned to find the door fully closed, whereas previously it had been slightly ajar. Upon opening the door and switching on the light, he discovered Rattray kneeling beside his daughter’s bed, with his hand and arm under the duvet covers, in a clear act of inappropriate conduct.

Harold Rattray, of Green Road, Balbeggie, faced serious charges for his actions. Sheriff William Wood described his conduct as involving two “very serious” sexual offenses against a child. The court ordered Rattray to be placed on the sex offenders register and called for a comprehensive report to assess the risk he posed to children. The judge scheduled his sentencing for January 21, emphasizing that the report would include an evaluation of his potential danger to minors. Rattray’s case highlights the grave nature of sexual offenses against children and the importance of judicial measures to protect vulnerable individuals from repeat offenders.