RALPH WASSELL FROM STIRLING JAILED UNDER NEW GROOMING LAW IN SCOTLAND

In a landmark case that marked the first application of Scotland's new grooming legislation, Ralph Wassell, a 57-year-old resident of Stirling, has been sentenced to a total of three years in prison for his involvement in a disturbing online grooming scheme and subsequent illegal meeting with a minor.

Wassell, a father of three, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including communicating with a 14-year-old girl with the intent of engaging in unlawful sexual activity and breaching bail conditions that prohibited him from contacting children under 16 via text messages or the internet. The case was heard at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, where the seriousness of his actions was underscored by the fact that this was the first case prosecuted under the new Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005, legislation specifically designed to combat grooming offenses.

The court was informed that Wassell, a retired IT consultant, had engaged in online chats under the alias 'Rod,' pretending to be an adult male. During these conversations, he targeted two schoolgirls, establishing a relationship that led to him traveling approximately 90 miles from Stirling to Eyemouth. His purpose was to meet the girls in person, which he did on April 27, after having arranged the meeting through online communication.

The court heard that Wassell drove his BMW to Eyemouth and arrived at the school gates where the girls were present. One of the girls became visibly distressed and panicked upon seeing him. Later, when the girls went for lunch at a nearby petrol station, Wassell parked his vehicle nearby. When confronted by one of the girls, he claimed he had only gone there for a 'snog.' Despite her rejection of his advances, Wassell expressed his affection by telling her he loved her before leaving.

The incident came to light after one of the girls confided in a teacher, and a friend of hers reported Wassell's online activity. Police investigations revealed that Wassell had communicated with the girls with clear sexual intentions and had traveled from Stirling to Eyemouth to meet them, fully aware of their age.

In his defense, Wassell admitted to the police that he had communicated with a 14-year-old girl and had met her in person with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. He also admitted to breaching bail conditions that prohibited contact with minors. The court noted that Wassell had a history of viewing internet pornography for up to four hours at a time, three days a week, and was considered a moderate to high risk of reoffending, with a developing interest in sexual activity involving underage females.

Judge Kevin Drummond emphasized the gravity of the case, stating that under the new law, simply arranging to meet an underage girl could carry a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, regardless of whether any sexual activity occurred. He highlighted the dangers posed by new technology, which Wassell exploited through deception and manipulation.

Wassell was sentenced to two years and eight months for the act of meeting the girl, with an additional four months to be served consecutively for breaching bail conditions. Furthermore, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the serious nature of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.