MURRAY BALLANTYNE OF SELKIRK ADMITS TO INDECENT COMMUNICATION CHARGE AT SHERIFF COURT

A 55-year-old man from Selkirk, Murray Ballantyne, has admitted to a charge of communicating indecently with a 13-year-old girl at the town's sheriff court.

Ballantyne sent messages to the young teenager in February 2022, in which he inquired about her underwear and invited her to his home on Elm Row to have sexual intercourse.

The messages came to the attention of the girl’s older sister, who subsequently reported them to the police.

Prosecutor India McLean explained that Ballantyne had initially met the girl, who was part of a group of teenagers, and he had given her his mobile number in case she needed anything. She stated that the defendant offered to meet her to buy cigarettes and continued messaging her to invite her to have sex, also making comments about having an erection.

Concerned about her sister’s interactions, the girl’s older sister contacted the police and informed her about the messages. The teenager later revealed to her sister that she had received other sexualised messages and phone calls from Ballantyne.

Ballantyne was cautioned and charged but did not respond to the charges. He subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of communicating indecently with a child and purchasing cigarettes for a person underage.

Sheriff Kevin McCarron deferred the sentencing until December 11 and ordered that Ballantyne's name be added to the Sex Offenders Register.