ALEXANDER ATKINSON FROM DUFFTOWN JAILED FOR SEX OFFENSES INVOLVING YOUNG GIRLS IN MORAY

In a disturbing series of incidents that have shocked the local communities in Moray, Alexander Atkinson, a 25-year-old man from Dufftown, has been sentenced to prison after engaging in inappropriate and predatory behavior towards young girls in the area. The offences, which took place over a span of several years, involved the offender approaching minors with lewd intentions and making inappropriate comments about their feet.

One of the most troubling incidents occurred on June 6, 2010, in the village of Hopeman. An 11-year-old girl was standing in the street when Atkinson approached her and asked to see her toes after she had removed her shoes. He complimented her by saying she had “nice feet,” a comment that made the young girl feel uncomfortable. Fearing her safety, she quickly ran away and reported the incident to her parents, who were understandably distressed by the encounter.

Further disturbing behavior was documented on September 25 of this year near Dufftown’s iconic clock tower. A 12-year-old girl was waiting at a bus stop when Atkinson approached her and inquired if she “liked wearing socks.” He then asked her to remove her shoes, a request she refused. The girl, feeling uneasy, moved to the corner of the bus shelter and called her mother to report that a man had been “creeping” on her. These incidents highlight a pattern of predatory behavior that has caused significant concern among residents and authorities alike.

Following his arrest and subsequent court proceedings, Atkinson appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges. The court heard that he had engaged in lewd, indecent, or libidinous practices, intentionally communicating for sexual gratification, humiliation, distress, or alarm. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to be placed on the sex offender’s register for a period of ten years. Additionally, he is required to inform police about any devices capable of accessing the internet and to disclose details of any new relationships during this time.

Furthermore, Atkinson has been prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 for the same ten-year period. Sheriff Chris Dickson emphasized the gravity of the offenses, stating, “These are extremely serious offences involving young children.”

In sentencing, Atkinson, who resides on Balvenie Street, was sentenced to a total of 200 days in jail. The court also found him guilty of failing to notify police about his use of a username to access the internet without a reasonable excuse. His actions have left a lasting impact on the victims and the community, prompting calls for vigilance and protective measures to prevent such incidents in the future.