BRIAN MOFFAT'S CRIMINAL PAST SHOCKS MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN INCLUDES LOANHEAD AND MUSSELBURGH

In February 2014, it was reported that Brian Moffat, who is now residing in Loanhead, Midlothian, was involved in a serious sexual assault case that has garnered significant attention across the region, including Musselburgh in East Lothian.

Back in July 2008, Moffat, then 42 years old, faced allegations that could potentially lead to a life sentence due to his history as a registered sex offender. The case involved an incident where he attempted to assault an 18-year-old girl while she was sleeping. Moffat was under close surveillance at the time, considered a risk to the public, which made his actions particularly alarming.

The victim, who was staying overnight at a relative’s house in Musselburgh, woke up to find Moffat in her bed. She recognized him immediately by the distinctive plaster cast on his leg, which he was wearing at the time. The young woman reported that she had been smoking cannabis during the incident, while Moffat had been under the influence of heroin and alcohol. The assault was interrupted when she managed to identify him, and her account detailed her shock and fear during the ordeal.

During the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, the jury convicted Moffat of attempted rape by a majority verdict. Moffat’s defense claimed that the victim had consented, but this was rejected by the court. The case highlighted Moffat’s troubling criminal history, which includes a previous conviction from 1997. In that case, he broke into a house in a Midlothian village and attempted to rape a 15-year-old girl. Following that incident, he was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

In the 1997 case, Moffat, then 31, was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh of attempted rape. The incident occurred on the night of July 4, 1997, when the girl was staying overnight at her grandfather’s house. Moffat, who was the son of the grandfather’s second wife, had visited the house earlier that evening. After spending some time there, he left around nine o'clock but returned around 2:30 a.m. by forcing his way through a kitchen window.

He entered the house and went into the spare bedroom where the girl was sleeping. He put his arm around her waist, causing her to panic and jump out of bed. However, he pulled her back, got on top of her, and attempted to kiss her. He then handled her breasts and private parts, trying to pull down her pants despite her protests. The girl fought back vigorously, scratching and kicking him. Moffat, who was heavily intoxicated, expressed his desire to have sex, continuing his assault even after she repeatedly said