LEE MCPHERSON AND SHOCKING CRIMES IN DUNDEE

A man registered as a sex offender, Lee McPherson, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after a series of heinous crimes committed in Dundee. The court heard that McPherson, 44 years old, systematically targeted a 15-year-old girl, engaging in a disturbing pattern of abuse that included drug and alcohol facilitation before assaulting her.

The incidents took place at various locations within Dundee, notably including premises in Caird Park, where McPherson's predatory behavior culminated in a brutal rape. The young victim was subjected to repeated assaults over a span of several months, specifically between November 2018 and January 2019. During this period, McPherson exploited her vulnerability, and her ordeal was compounded by the fact that he bombarded her with inappropriate and sleazy text messages, further violating her sense of safety and trust.

McPherson’s conviction was secured in October of the previous year, following a trial held in Livingston. The court found him guilty of two counts of raping the girl during the specified period. The sentencing process was delayed multiple times, as the judge, Lady Haldane, ordered a comprehensive risk assessment to be conducted on McPherson. This was particularly significant given his prior breach of a sexual harm prevention order, which underscored his ongoing risk to the community.

Eventually, McPherson appeared before the High Court in Glasgow, where the judge imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR). This order signifies that McPherson will remain under strict supervision for the rest of his life, with a minimum of five years to be served before any possibility of parole. However, Lady Haldane emphasized that release would only occur if he is deemed safe to reintegrate into society, highlighting the seriousness of his crimes and the potential danger he poses.

During the sentencing, the judge expressed grave concern over McPherson’s attitude towards his victim, describing his behavior as displaying 'deeply concerning attitudes.' Lady Haldane remarked that McPherson showed no remorse or understanding of the gravity of his actions, and appeared to see nothing wrong with his conduct towards a child of his age.

The victim, who was just 15 at the time, recounted her traumatic experience to the court. She described feeling unwell after consuming alcohol and cannabis at a flat where McPherson and others were present. She lost consciousness but later awoke to find McPherson on top of her. In another distressing account, she told jurors that she lay 'frozen and staring at the wall' as McPherson preyed upon her, illustrating the terrifying helplessness she experienced.

In addition to the assaults, McPherson was convicted of sending inappropriate sexual messages to the girl and another teenager. He claimed that these messages were merely 'stupid jokes,' a defense that the court did not accept. Throughout the proceedings, McPherson maintained his innocence, continuing to protest his lack of guilt.

This case underscores the ongoing concerns about sexual offenses and the importance of rigorous sentencing and monitoring of offenders to protect vulnerable individuals in the community of Dundee.