CRAWFORD ROBERTSON FROM WEST CALDER CAUGHT IN EDINBURGH SCANDAL INVOLVING 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL

A disturbing case has emerged involving Crawford Robertson, a man from West Calder, West Lothian, who engaged in predatory behavior targeting a young girl in Edinburgh. The incident highlights the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children.

According to court records, Robertson initiated contact with an 11-year-old schoolgirl through the Snapchat application. He falsely presented himself as a teenager in order to gain her trust, a tactic often used by predators to lure young victims into conversations. Once he established communication, Robertson began sending the girl explicit and inappropriate messages, making her uncomfortable and vulnerable.

He expressed a desire to kiss her and explicitly asked her to participate in sexual activities, despite her young age. The situation escalated when Robertson arranged to meet the girl in Edinburgh, specifically targeting the Wester Hailes shopping centre, a well-known location in the city. The planned meeting was set for November 2022, raising serious concerns about his intentions.

However, Robertson's plans were thwarted when a family friend of the girl’s parents intervened. The individual noticed suspicious behavior and confronted Robertson, causing him to flee the scene before any contact could be made. The incident prompted immediate police involvement, leading to Robertson's arrest.

He was subsequently brought before Edinburgh Sheriff Court in October of the previous year, where he pleaded guilty to two serious sexual offences involving the young girl. The charges included sending indecent communications and attempting to meet her with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. His admission of guilt underscored the severity of his actions.

On January 10, Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss delivered the sentencing, opting for a community-based punishment rather than imprisonment. The sheriff acknowledged the gravity of the offences but also considered Robertson’s lack of prior convictions and his age, which influenced the decision. He stated, "Quite clearly you have pled guilty to two serious charges which will be of concern to the public. The custody threshold has clearly been crossed but I am attaching particular weight to the fact that you have no previous convictions and also your age."

As part of his sentence, Robertson was placed under a social work supervision order for two years and mandated to complete 225 hours of unpaid community service. Additionally, he was registered as a sex offender for two years and subjected to strict restrictions regarding his use of computers and his contact with any minors under the age of 18. These measures aim to monitor and prevent any further offending behavior.

It was revealed during the court proceedings that Robertson is employed remotely on a temporary contract, handling telephone calls from the public to facilitate donations to various charity organizations. The victim’s parents attended the sentencing hearing and expressed their outrage and fear. They described Robertson as “a dangerous predator” and voiced their disbelief that he was not sentenced to jail. The mother of the girl stated, "I can't believe he wasn't jailed for what he did to my little girl. He pretended to a teenager at first to win her trust before sending her disgusting sexual suggestions about what they could do together. She was only 11 at the time - what kind of person does that? We are just lucky that a friend of the family was there to chase him off or who knows what could have happened to her."