Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Man, 20, groomed ‘girlfriend’ aged 10
A PERVERT who groomed a 10-year-old girl before subjecting her to a depraved sex attack has been warned that he faces being locked up if he does not engage with social workers.
Corey Urquhart made the child think they were “boyfriend and girlfriend” — despite her being at primary school and him being 20 at the time of the offence.
Then in April last year he struck — subjecting the girl to a debauched sex attack at a flat in Dundee.
A sheriff said the offence was a “hair’s breadth” from rape.
Urquhart, 21, of Coulpark, Alness, was found guilty after trial of an amended charge of sexually assaulting a girl aged 10 at a location in Dundee on April 1 last year.
Sentence had been deferred last month for reports.
However, when Urquhart returned for sentence, defence advocate Victoria Dow told the court a report had not been prepared. She said Urquhart had told the social work department that he had moved to an address i n Blackpool to be with his partner.
But the relationship had failed and he had since moved back to his new address in Alness, in Ross and Cromarty.
As a result, social workers were unable to meet Urquhart to prepare the report.
Sheriff Alastair Brown said: “The conduct he was convicted of was a hair’s breadth away from the rape of a child.
“It is a very serious matter and he needs to take this seriously.”
Ms Dow replied: “That is not lost on him. He was tearful at the conclusion of the trial.
“He is extremely aware of the difficulty he finds himself in.”
Sheriff Brown said: “With extremely substantial hesitation, I will not remand him in custody.”
Granting Urquhart bail, he told him: “You have made it necessary for me to adjourn this again because you took yourself off to Blackpool instead of staying where you said you would be as part of your bail conditions.
“If you don’t comply this time, I will put you where they will find you.”
Sentence was deferred until May 10 for a social work background report to be compiled.