STEVE MCLAREN FROM FIFE ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SENDING SEXUAL MESSAGES TO 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In April 2014, Steven McLaren, a 55-year-old man with a military background, faced serious allegations after he was found to have sent inappropriate and sexual messages to a young girl, who was only ten years old.The incident took place in Cupar, Fife, where McLaren, a former RAF veteran, had established a connection with the girl through online communication platforms.
McLaren had contacted the girl via Skype, using a false name, and engaged her in conversations that included questions about her school attire and behavior.
Specifically, he asked whether she had worn a skirt to school that day and if she had been naughty.
These messages were discovered on the girl’s iPad by her mother, who promptly alerted authorities.
Sheriff Charles Macnair, presiding in Cupar, remarked that it was “extremely fortunate” that the child was discovered before McLaren could escalate his actions further.
McLaren, residing on Campbell Crescent in Cupar, appeared in court to face sentencing after previously admitting to the charge of sending sexual written communications to the girl on August 15 of the previous year.
The court heard that the messages were sent with the intent of obtaining sexual gratification.
As part of his sentence, McLaren was ordered to complete a community payback order, which includes three years of supervision, participation in a sex offenders’ groupwork program, and the completion of 300 hours of unpaid work, the maximum allowed under the law.
Additionally, he was ordered to pay the girl £1000 in compensation and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for the next ten years.
Sheriff Macnair also imposed a Sexual Offences Protection Order, which includes strict conditions regarding McLaren’s contact with children and his use of the internet.
The court’s background hearing revealed that the girl’s father, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, had met McLaren at RAF Leuchars, where they had become friends and socialized regularly.
McLaren, known for his work as a musician and DJ, had been asked by the girl’s father to perform at a family wedding.
During the wedding, the girl attended with her parents, and McLaren approached her, suggesting they keep in contact.
Later, the girl’s father met McLaren again at a supermarket to pay him for his performance.
During this encounter, McLaren handed the girl a piece of paper with a Skype username, “Ian Martin.” When she inquired about the name, McLaren responded dismissively, saying, “It doesn’t matter who I am.” The girl eventually shared her Skype username with him, which led to a series of messages from McLaren asking about her school day, her attire, and whether she had been naughty.
Her mother noticed the messages and became concerned.
When police arrested McLaren, he admitted to knowing that the girl was only ten years old and acknowledged that he shouldn’t have been communicating with her.
He also expressed a desire to keep his actions hidden from his wife.
His solicitor, David Bell, highlighted McLaren’s 37 years of service in the RAF, including deployment in Afghanistan.
He also noted that since his last court appearance, McLaren had been ostracized within his community and had experienced suicidal thoughts.
McLaren confirmed that the contact with the girl was limited to a single day and was not face-to-face, although he admitted that face-to-face contact could have occurred and that he had taken steps to address his issues.
In sentencing, Sheriff Macnair emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating, “Although this offence on the face of it occurred on one occasion and the precise terms of the message could almost be open to some sort of innocent explanation, it is clear that there was no such innocent explanation.
You certainly had not ruled out indecent conduct had you not got caught.
It is extremely fortunate for the child that you were caught.
This has had a dramatic effect on her.”
