ANDREW NEWTON FROM BROXBURN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN INVERNESS

In a case that has shocked the local community, Andrew Newton, a resident of Broxburn, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after being found guilty of multiple serious charges related to child sexual exploitation. The offences came to light following a detailed investigation and a subsequent trial at Inverness Sheriff Court, where Newton faced the court for sentencing.

Newton, aged 30, who previously represented St Andrews University on the well-known BBC quiz show University Challenge in 2012, was convicted of engaging in disturbing online communications with young girls. The court heard that he had sent indecent messages to girls as young as 12 years old, attempting to persuade them to meet him for sexual activity. These messages included explicit descriptions and a photograph of a penis, which he sent to one of the victims.

The jury also found Newton guilty of similar misconduct involving two other girls, both aged 14. In these cases, he described sexual acts and made indecent comments, further attempting to coerce one of the girls into sending explicit images and persuading her to meet him for sexual intercourse. The evidence presented during the trial revealed a pattern of predatory behavior aimed at vulnerable minors.

Newton’s address was listed as East Main Street, Broxburn, although he was previously associated with Inverness. During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff Ian Cruickshank highlighted the deceptive tactics Newton employed, noting that he used a pseudonym to contact the victims. Despite clear evidence, Newton denied responsibility for the messages, a stance the sheriff described as unconvincing.

Sheriff Cruickshank condemned Newton’s actions, stating, “You contacted two of the girls and attempted to induce them to meet with you for sexual intercourse. You sent one girl a picture of a naked penis when she was 12 years old.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Newton was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. The case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from predatory individuals like Newton.