CRAIG OXENHAM FROM PETTYCUR BAY ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL OFFENCES IN FIFE

In a case that has shocked the local community, 18-year-old Craig Oxenham from Pettycur Bay was found guilty of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy. The incidents occurred at various locations, including a golf club and a cemetery in Kinghorn, Fife, spanning from September 2017 to June 2018.

Oxenham was apprehended after the victim, a 15-year-old boy, took screenshots of incriminating messages sent by him. These digital records played a crucial role in establishing the case against Oxenham, leading to his conviction. The young victim, feeling increasingly distressed and frightened as the incidents progressed, eventually confided in a relative about the abuse. The victim’s courage in documenting the messages and reporting the matter to the police was instrumental in bringing the offender to justice.

During the court proceedings at the High Court in Glasgow, the prosecutor, Shanti Maguire, detailed how the victim had made it clear he did not consent to Oxenham’s advances. As the incidents continued, the boy became overwhelmed with embarrassment and fear, which was compounded by Oxenham’s further inappropriate demands via social media. The offender also issued threats, intensifying the victim’s distress. Eventually, the victim disclosed the abuse to a family member, which prompted the police investigation.

Oxenham admitted to charges of rape and another sexual offence under the Sexual Offences Act. His solicitor advocate, Gordon Martin, argued that his client would struggle in a custodial environment and emphasized that Oxenham was currently attending college and attempting to turn his life around. The court was informed that Oxenham’s actions included sending harmful messages and making sick demands, which contributed to the victim’s fear and confusion.

In sentencing, Judge Lady Stacey acknowledged the gravity of the charges but decided against imprisonment, citing Oxenham’s young age as a mitigating factor. Instead, she ordered him to complete 300 hours of community service, noting the ongoing difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic that might affect the implementation of this order. Oxenham was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for three years, with a warning that failure to comply with the community service order would result in him being brought back to court.

Lady Stacey emphasized the importance of compliance, stating, “I want you to understand you pled guilty to very serious charges. I am not going to send you to custody. Given your young age it is not necessary to send you to custody.” She further cautioned Oxenham that if he failed to adhere to the court’s orders, he would face further legal consequences. The case highlights the importance of digital evidence and the bravery of victims in seeking justice against offenders like Craig Oxenham from Pettycur Bay, Fife.