PATRICK MURRAY INVERCLYDE SEX OFFENDER AVOID JAIL DESPITE DISTURBING FACEBOOK MESSAGES

In July 2017, a disturbing case involving Patrick Murray, a 35-year-old man from Inverclyde, drew significant attention from local authorities and the judicial system. Murray, who was residing in Brydson Place, Linwood, at the time of the offences, engaged in a series of highly inappropriate and sexualized communications with his partner’s 14-year-old niece through Facebook Messenger. Despite the gravity of his actions, he was ultimately spared a custodial sentence and was instead placed under community supervision, a decision that sparked debate and concern among community members and legal observers alike.

According to court reports, Murray initiated contact with the young girl shortly after adding her as a friend on Facebook. Her profile clearly indicated her age as 14, which made his subsequent actions particularly troubling. The first message, a simple “Hi,” was sent around 2 a.m. on April 10. However, as the day progressed, his messages took a sinister turn. By the afternoon, he had sent a message asking her to engage in a live video call while he was showering, a request that she declined. Despite this, Murray persisted, sending numerous explicit and sexualized messages late into the night, which caused the girl to become increasingly alarmed and distressed.

Prosecutor Kevin Doherty detailed the sequence of events, noting that Murray’s messages became more disturbing after the girl responded to his initial contact. He wrote, “He stated ‘I’m doing something — wanna see? Lol,’” and then requested a video call, which was refused. The girl, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, eventually handed her phone to her mother after Murray sent her a message that explicitly described what he was about to do, further escalating her distress. The situation reached a critical point when the girl’s mother became aware of the messages and alerted the authorities.

During the court proceedings at Greenock Sheriff Court, Murray’s defense lawyer, Ellen Macdonald, acknowledged her client’s attempts to minimize his involvement, citing issues with alcohol and the impact of his actions. She explained that Murray had lost his job and tenancy, become estranged from his family, and was at risk of losing his liberty. Despite these factors, the court was told that Murray had shown some level of denial regarding the seriousness of his offending, which Sheriff David Hall noted during the hearing.

In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff Hall emphasized the importance of community safety and the need for proper monitoring of Murray’s behavior. He ordered Murray to be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register and subjected to strict supervision for three years. Additionally, Murray was given a Community Payback Order requiring him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work within nine months. The sheriff also expressed a desire to see if Murray was suitable for a rehabilitation program aimed at addressing his offending behavior.

Following the sentencing, Murray was remanded in custody for a period of time while the court considered his future rehabilitation prospects. He is scheduled to return to court in September for a review hearing to assess his progress and suitability for the program. The case has left many in the Inverclyde community concerned about the safety of minors and the adequacy of the measures taken to prevent future offenses by individuals like Murray.