Scottish man committed sex offences against child in Norfolk

SCOTTISH MAN COMMITTED SEX OFFENCES AGAINST CHILD IN NORFOLK

A 37-year-old man who groomed a child online before traveling from Scotland to commit multiple sex offences against her in Norfolk has been jailed.

McMurtrie, of Foyers Road, Kinlochleven, appeared via video link from King’s Lynn in Norwich Crown Court on January 19 to be sentenced for 11 counts of sexual activity with a child.

McMurtrie, who previously pleaded not guilty to the offences, stood trial on January 5 and was found guilty by a jury on January 16.

He was jailed for eight years and will serve an additional one year on licence.

In November 2020, McMurtrie was arrested by Police Scotland at his home for sexual grooming of the female victim.

Mobile devices were found to contain 330 messages between McMurtrie and the victim.

Phone calls and photos of the victim, including one of her in a school uniform, were also discovered.

McMurtrie had been speaking to the victim online for around four and a half months before meeting in Hopton.

The court heard how McMurtrie had told his wife that he was going fishing on the Scottish Coast.

The victim had conversations with him about her age, and he was aware she was under the age of 16.

The victim’s family was alerted in November 2020 when she disclosed the relationship at school.

She also told a family member that she had sex with McMurtrie and that he loved her.

In an extract from a statement read out in court, the victim said: “I understand that Santiago McMurtrie will hear this statement being read out.

"I was a naïve and very young …girl.

"I want him to know that what he has done has had a massive impact on me emotionally, physically, and mentally.

No matter what he has done to me, I will not let it ruin my life, and I know that he will get what he deserves.” McMurtrie was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order not to contact the victim.