Christopher Aldridge

A retired British Transport Police officer, Christopher Aldridge, has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for sexually abusing a young girl over a period of five years. The abuse, which began when the victim was just nine years old, involved repeated instances of lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices. Aldridge, aged 76 and residing in Golf View, Cardenden, admitted to two charges at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

The court heard that the abuse started in the mid-2000s and continued until the victim was 14. It typically occurred during 'tickle and chase' games, where Aldridge would pin the girl down and touch her breasts and lower private parts on multiple occasions. He instructed the victim not to disclose the incidents, warning that he would face trouble if anyone found out. Sheriff Charles Macnair described the behaviour as escalating from what might have seemed innocent—potentially grooming—to serious sexual abuse, including penetrative elements.

During the sentencing on Wednesday, Sheriff Macnair highlighted Aldridge's lack of remorse, noting that a social work report indicated he blamed the victim for the abuse and minimised his actions. 'The report makes it abundantly clear that you blame (the girl) for this behaviour,' the sheriff stated. 'You show no remorse in my view, apart from remorse of being caught.' The judge also criticised Aldridge for declining counselling in 2012 to avoid corroborating the victim's evidence, despite having confessed the abuse to a counsellor at that time, which prompted an initial police investigation that was closed due to insufficient details.

The case resurfaced in 2021 when the victim, now in her 20s, provided a full statement to police after her memories were triggered. Fiscal depute Catherine Fraser detailed Aldridge's background: originally from England, he moved to Scotland, worked as a British Transport Police officer until retiring around 2002, and later became a driving instructor. Defence lawyer Stephen Morrison argued that Aldridge was a first-time offender whose conduct had ended years ago and portrayed him as an otherwise upstanding community member who attended church regularly. However, the sheriff emphasised Aldridge's betrayal of his role as a police officer, who should have protected individuals like the victim rather than abusing them.

Sheriff Macnair considered remitting the case to the High Court but opted to sentence within his powers due to the early guilty plea, reducing the term from six years to four-and-a-half years. Aldridge was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. The sentencing reflects the gravity of child sexual abuse offences, with the court underscoring the long-term impact on the victim.