CULLONEN DRIVING INSTRUCTOR MICHAEL REAT SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF 14-YEAR-OLD BOY

In November 2011, a disturbing case emerged involving Michael Reat, a driving instructor from Culloden, who was convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old boy he met through online communication. The incident, which took place over a few days in December of the previous year, has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about the safety of vulnerable youths.

Reat, aged 39 and residing at Oakdene Court in Culloden, appeared before Inverness Sheriff Court where he pleaded guilty in October to charges of gross indecency and sodomy involving the young boy. The court was informed that the sexual acts occurred between December 9 and December 13, 2010, in a garden shed at the boy’s home. As part of his sentence, Reat was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and received a probation period of three years, during which he must maintain good behavior, be supervised by social workers, and attend a specialized sex offenders program.

Sheriff Margaret Neilson addressed Reat directly, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. She described his conduct as “reckless in the extreme” and underscored her primary concern: protecting other vulnerable individuals from similar offenses in the future. The court was also told by Procurator Fiscal Ron Phillips that the sexual encounters were described as consensual by the boy, who was considered vulnerable due to personal health issues, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression caused by bullying at school.

It was revealed that Reat’s identification was straightforward for police to establish because he used his professional vehicle, which bore distinctive livery and a triangle symbol on the roof, to travel to the scene of the offenses. The investigation uncovered that Reat and the boy had initially connected through Gumtree, a website known for classified ads but also used for seeking partners. Reat responded to an advertisement placed by the boy, and during their online exchanges, the boy disclosed his age. Reat requested a photograph, and when the boy explained he lacked phone credit, Reat credited him with £10, facilitating further communication.

The sexual acts took place over two consecutive nights in the boy’s garden shed. Following these encounters, the pair continued to communicate online, discussing what had happened. The boy later confided that he experienced physical discomfort during one of the sexual acts. Family members noticed a change in the boy’s demeanor the following week, prompting them to install monitoring software on his computer. This software revealed a series of homosexual conversations between Reat and the boy.

Subsequently, authorities searched Reat’s residence and examined his computer, leading to his full confession. Despite initial embarrassment, the boy later provided a more detailed account of the events after Reat’s court appearance. The case highlights the dangers posed by predatory individuals targeting vulnerable youths and underscores the importance of vigilance and protective measures within the community of Culloden.