Man, 68, admits sex offences against girl aged under 16

A 68-YEAR- OLD man has been placed on the sex offenders’ register after admitting committing sexual offences against a girl under 16 years.

Rupert James Nevil Valpy, resident of France, admitted to lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards the girl on various occasions between February 22 2003 and February 26 2006 at Otter Lodge, Ardnamurchan.

Valpy’s solicitor Gerry Sweeney explained to the court that being on the register would affect Valpy in this jurisdiction. He would have to make contact with Police Scotland before travelling in the UK jurisdiction, present himself to the relevant police office and report to police again when leaving the UK jurisdiction.

Procurator Fiscal Martina Eastwood told the court Valpy had lived most of his adult life in the UK and went on holidays to Otter Lodge with a group including the complainant.

She noted this was a ‘remote location with no neighbours or streetlights’. The procurator fiscal explained the complainant reported three incidents which took place in the grounds of Otter Lodge and that Valpy had admitted to his now- estranged wife that he had ‘perhaps been inappropriate’ with the child on one occasion only.

These incidents were reported to have taken place during games of ‘flashlight tag’ in the dark when the girl was 12 years old or above.

The procurator fiscal said these incidents had affected the complainant deeply.

Sentence was adjourned until May 24 for a criminal justice social services report to be prepared including how long Valpy will be on the sex offenders’ register.

He was released on bail.