STUART CASSIE FROM FORFAR AND FRASERBURGH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN GLASGOW

In a disturbing case that has shocked communities across Scotland, Stuart Cassie, a man with connections to both Forfar and Fraserburgh, has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for heinous crimes involving a young girl. The offences stem from a series of predatory actions that began with online communication and culminated in sexual assaults, highlighting the dangers of online grooming and exploitation.

According to court records, Cassie, aged 21 at the time of sentencing, first initiated contact with the victim in September 2011 via Facebook. During their initial exchanges, Cassie falsely claimed to be 18 years old, while the girl was only 12. Despite the age discrepancy, the pair maintained contact over the following months, with their communication escalating in seriousness.

It was in January 2012 that Cassie met the girl in person for the first time. The meeting took place in a secluded area near Brechin, Angus, where Cassie drove her in his vehicle and committed the first sexual assault. The victim, then 12, was subjected to this assault in the privacy of Cassie’s car, an act that marked the beginning of a series of criminal acts.

By December 2012, Cassie had taken the girl to his home in Forfar, where he raped her again. Over the subsequent months, further sexual encounters occurred at his residence, with the girl now 13. These acts were carried out in a manner that demonstrated a clear pattern of predatory behavior and exploitation.

The case came to light in July 2013 when the girl visited a clinic and disclosed her previous sexual contact with Cassie. This admission prompted police investigations, which included examining her laptop and mobile devices. Authorities also seized a computer and two iPhones from Cassie’s home, located in Fraserburgh.

Investigators uncovered evidence of “sexual communications” between Cassie and the girl, including explicit photographs. Cassie had sent naked images of himself and received similar pictures from the girl, further illustrating the extent of their inappropriate relationship.

Following the evidence gathering, Cassie was charged with multiple offences, including rape and communicating indecently with a minor. During police interviews, he broke down in tears, expressing remorse and acknowledging the shame his actions had brought upon himself and his family. His defense lawyer, Matthew Jackson, emphasized that Cassie recognized he should have known better, describing his conduct as a grave mistake.

Despite the victim being legally incapable of consenting due to her age, she had agreed to the sexual acts, a fact acknowledged during the trial. However, Lady Rae, presiding over the case at the High Court in Glasgow, emphasized the severity of the crimes. She stated, “What happened should not go on between an adult and a child,” and condemned Cassie’s actions, noting that he maintained contact with the girl fully aware of her age.

Lady Rae sentenced Cassie to four years and nine months in prison and ordered him to be placed on the sex offenders register. She also highlighted that Cassie’s intentions were clear, and his attempts to minimize the events during the social work report were unacceptable. The judge’s verdict underscores the seriousness with which the court views crimes of this nature, especially involving vulnerable minors and the abuse of trust by an adult.