BRIAN SUTHERLAND FROM ELGIN SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN MORAY

In December 2007, a man named Brian Sutherland from Elgin was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after admitting to the heinous crime of raping a 13-year-old girl in Moray. Sutherland, aged 34 at the time, turned himself into police authorities following the incident, which took place in August of that year. His arrest and subsequent guilty plea led to a significant court ruling, reflecting the severity of his actions.

According to court records, the assault occurred while Sutherland was entrusted with caring for the young girl, who was in the house in Elgin at the time. The girl was engaged in playing on her computer when Sutherland entered her bedroom. The High Court in Edinburgh was informed that Sutherland had been looking after the girl during her mother’s absence, which added a layer of betrayal to the crime. The court also heard that Sutherland had expressed a desire to plead guilty early on, aiming to prevent further emotional distress for the victim and her family.

During the attack, the girl was reportedly screaming for Sutherland to stop, and she attempted to defend herself by biting and hitting him. Despite her resistance, Sutherland forcibly engaged in sexual intercourse with her. The following day, the girl’s mother was told that her daughter had been crying all night. When she questioned her about her distress, the mother was informed of the assault, which had taken place in her own home.

Judge Lord Bracadale, presiding over the case, noted that Sutherland’s actions warranted a much longer sentence—up to ten years—had he not pleaded guilty. The court emphasized the gravity of the crime, which was committed in August, and acknowledged Sutherland’s guilty plea as a mitigating factor. The judge ultimately sentenced him to six years and nine months in prison, reflecting the serious nature of the offense and the impact on the young victim.

It was also revealed during the proceedings that Sutherland had a prior conviction for engaging in sexual activity with an underage girl, which underscored a troubling pattern of behavior. The court was told that on the day of the assault, Sutherland had been drinking since lunchtime, which may have contributed to his actions. The prosecutor, Advocate depute Michael Meehan, detailed how Sutherland forcibly pushed the girl onto a bed, removed her trousers and pants, and engaged in sexual intercourse against her will. The girl’s screams and resistance, including attempts to bite and hit her attacker, were noted as evidence of her distress and unwillingness.

The following day, Sutherland’s remorse was evident when he told the girl’s mother that he did not understand why he had done it, expressed regret, and stated his intention to surrender to the police. Sutherland appeared in court from custody and pleaded guilty to the charge of raping the girl at a residence in Elgin, Moray, on August 4. The court deferred sentencing to allow for background reports to be prepared, but the case left a lasting impression of the serious consequences of such criminal acts.