DAVID MASSON FROM PENICUIK CAUGHT FILMING HIMSELF ABUSING FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN EDINBURGH

In March 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving a man from Penicuik who was caught in the act of filming himself abusing a four-year-old girl. The incident came to light after the child's father discovered the incriminating footage on a mobile device, leading to a series of revelations that ultimately resulted in the man's arrest and court proceedings.

According to court records, the child's father recognized the perpetrator as David Masson, a resident of Penicuik, due to distinctive features on his hand. Specifically, the father identified Masson by his wedding ring and the prominent letters "H-A-T-E" tattooed across his fingers. These identifying marks proved crucial in linking Masson to the footage, which depicted him engaging in sexually abusive behavior towards the young girl.

Masson, aged 62, appeared before the High Court in Edinburgh, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges. These included taking and possessing indecent images of a child, as well as sexually assaulting the young girl by exposing himself and rubbing his bare bottom against her. The court heard that the abuse was captured on video, with the footage lasting approximately two and a half minutes, along with an additional clip of about one minute and twenty seconds. A still image from the videos showed the girl sitting on a couch with her knees up, revealing her pants, which further underscored the disturbing nature of the material.

During the proceedings, Judge Lord Boyd of Duncansby ordered a background report on Masson and remanded him into custody. The sentencing was scheduled to take place in Glasgow the following month. The prosecution, led by Advocate depute David Nicolson, explained that the child's father initially believed the video was a form of downloaded pornography. However, upon closer inspection, he recognized Masson’s wedding ring and the distinctive tattoo, which confirmed his identity and revealed that the victim was his own daughter.

When police officers arrived at the scene, they found the father being restrained by a relative amid the tense situation. The mobile phone was seized and examined by experts, who confirmed the presence of the videos and still images depicting the abuse. Throughout police questioning, Masson remained silent, responding only with a simple "no comment."

Representing Masson in court, solicitor advocate Stuart Carson expressed remorse on behalf of his client, stating that Masson was extremely sorry for his actions and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. The case drew significant attention due to the severity of the allegations and the disturbing nature of the evidence, highlighting the importance of vigilance and swift justice in protecting vulnerable children from abuse.