STEWART JARVIE, HIGHLAND CHEF FROM BUCKIE, FINED FOR SEX WITH 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In March 1998, Stewart Jarvie, a 26-year-old acclaimed chef from Buckie, was ordered to pay a £1,000 fine and was placed on the sex offender register after confessing to having sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl.

During a hearing at Elgin Sheriff Court, Sheriff Noel McPartlin emphasized the importance of the sentence as a discouragement to others, stating, "The law is there to protect girls of that age. I have a duty to impose a deterrent sentence. You were in a position of authority which you manipulated to be alone with the girl."

Jarvie, who was named Highland Chef of the Year in 1996 and has prepared meals for notable figures including Prince Andrew, Billy Connolly, and Sam Torrance, had earlier admitted to the offence.

Prosecutor depute Sharon Ralph revealed that a plan was made for the girl to visit Jarvie at his flat in Buckie on February 4 for sexual activity. She explained, "They left the hotel at 10 pm and Jarvie drove her back to his flat in Buckie where they had full sexual intercourse."

The girl later confided in her guidance teacher, who after consulting with colleagues, informed her mother about the incident.

At the time, Jarvie was working at a hotel in Cullen, Banffshire, and was residing at Pringle Court, Buckie. Following the incident, he was dismissed from his job but has since taken up a new position at Scotland’s Hotel in Pitlochry, Perthshire.

Outside court, a former colleague, who wished to remain anonymous, commented critically, "This man is a beast and he will strike again."