Santiago McMurtrie

Santiago McMurtrie, a 37-year-old man from Kinlochleven, Scotland, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court for committing serious sexual offences against a child in Norfolk. The case came to light after the victim disclosed the abusive relationship to her family and school in November 2020.

McMurtrie began grooming the underage female victim online, engaging in conversations for approximately four and a half months. He was fully aware of her age, as discussions about it occurred during their communications. Evidence from his mobile devices, seized by Police Scotland during his arrest in November 2020, revealed 330 messages exchanged between McMurtrie and the victim, along with phone calls and photos, including one of her in school uniform.

Deceiving his wife by claiming he was going fishing on the Scottish coast, McMurtrie travelled to Hopton in Norfolk to meet the victim in person. There, he committed multiple acts of sexual activity with her, despite knowing she was under 16 years old. The victim later confided in a family member that she had engaged in sexual intercourse with McMurtrie and that he had professed love for her.

McMurtrie initially pleaded not guilty to the 11 counts of sexual activity with a child. His trial commenced on 5 January 2024 at Norwich Crown Court, where he appeared via video link from King's Lynn. On 16 January 2024, a jury found him guilty on all counts. During the sentencing hearing on 19 January 2024, the court heard a victim impact statement read aloud. In it, the victim addressed McMurtrie directly, stating: 'I was a naïve and very young …girl. I want him to know that what he has done has had a massive impact on me emotionally, physically, and mentally. No matter what he has done to me, I will not let it ruin my life, and I know that he will get what he deserves.'

Presiding at the court, the judge imposed an eight-year custodial sentence on McMurtrie, with an additional year to be served on licence upon release. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim. The offences were investigated jointly by Police Scotland and Norfolk Constabulary, highlighting the cross-border nature of the grooming and abuse.