DANIEL COMRIE FROM ALYTH ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE SEX OFFENSES IN PERTH AND GLASGOW

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Daniel Comrie, a 22-year-old resident of Alyth, Perthshire, has managed to avoid imprisonment despite a history of serious sexual offenses involving underage girls. The revelations about his past crimes and the subsequent legal proceedings highlight ongoing concerns about justice and rehabilitation for sex offenders.

According to a victim who chose to remain anonymous, Comrie committed a heinous act in 2011 at a house in Perth when she was just 16 years old. She has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of that assault. The victim came forward anonymously, revealing the details of her ordeal and expressing her ongoing suffering.

Further details emerged in November 2016, when Comrie was convicted of multiple sex offenses. Despite admitting to having engaged in sexual activities with four underage girls, he was handed a relatively lenient sentence of 300 hours of unpaid work, avoiding jail time. This decision was met with outrage from victims and advocates alike, especially considering his prior conviction and breach of a probation order.

One of the victims, Cassandra Davidson, who was 14 at the time she was targeted, publicly waived her right to anonymity to speak out against the leniency shown to Comrie. She recounted her experience, stating, “He denied the offence against me for two years before pleading guilty. I thought he’d go to prison. When he didn’t, I was angry, upset and miserable. The courts say to report it but after I plucked up the courage to tell someone I got messed about by the justice system.”

Comrie was initially placed on the sex offenders register and subjected to probation measures at Perth Sheriff Court in 2012. However, just a few months later, he began texting Cassandra, who was unaware of his criminal background. Cassandra recalled meeting him during her school lunch break, describing him as “quite charming,” and later engaging in sexual activity with him in a field near Wellshill Cemetery in Perth. He had told her that their relationship had to remain secret because he had other girlfriends, a statement that now appears to be a manipulation of her naivety.

At the time, Cassandra was unaware that Comrie was on probation and prohibited from being with anyone under 17. She was only 16 when police arrived at Comrie’s flat two years ago. She recounted, “He whispered to me, ‘You’re 17,’ but the police quickly found out I was lying. I had no idea he was on probation and wasn’t allowed to be with anyone under 17.”

Earlier this month, Comrie was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh after pleading guilty to having sex with Cassandra when she was 14 and 15, as well as with two other girls aged 15. The court’s decision underscores the severity of his offenses and the ongoing threat he poses.

In a related legal matter from October 2013, Comrie’s attempts to restrict his online activity were rejected. Perth and Kinross Council’s social work department sought to impose a ban on him using online dating sites as part of his community payback order, citing concerns over his contact with strangers. However, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis dismissed the application, stating, “I am not convinced this should be part of the terms of a community payback order.” The sheriff added that such restrictions would be more appropriate under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which Comrie was not subject to at the time.

Comrie had also requested permission to use the BBM messaging service, claiming it would allow him to communicate with friends. His solicitor, Stephanie Ross, explained that Comrie used Facebook and BBM Messenger to stay in touch with known contacts, not strangers or for dating purposes. Despite these claims, social workers had previously denied him access to web dating sites, citing concerns over his risk of reoffending.

Throughout the proceedings, concerns about Comrie’s understanding of his behavior and the potential for reoffending persisted. Sheriff Robert McCreadie had previously warned him in April that unless he changed his conduct, there was a “medium risk” he would commit similar offenses again. The social work assessment indicated that Comrie lacked insight into the destructive nature of his actions.

The case also revealed the tragic impact on one of his victims, a 14-year-old girl who suffered from anorexia and depression after enduring sexual assault by Comrie. She kept her trauma secret for two years before finally reporting the abuse. Comrie admitted to abusing her on two occasions in Perthshire and Glasgow between October 2009 and June 2010, exploiting opportunities during social gatherings and taking advantage of her sleeping arrangements at a party.

Despite claiming he was bullied by the girl, Comrie later confessed to the indecent acts. He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for three years, ordered to undergo a sex offenders program, and to complete 160 hours of unpaid work. His case continues to raise questions about the adequacy of sentencing and the effectiveness of supervision for sex offenders in Scotland.