GARRY KEMLEY FROM AUCHTERARDER AND MEIGLE SENTENCED AFTER LURING SCHOOLGIRL INTO HOUSE FOR SEXUAL ADVANCES

In December 2011, a serious incident unfolded involving Garry Kemley, a 39-year-old man from the Perthshire area, specifically associated with Auchterarder and Meigle. Kemley was found guilty of luring a young schoolgirl into a private residence with the intent of making sexual advances towards her, an act that has led to significant legal repercussions and a lasting impact on the victim.

According to court proceedings, Kemley employed a deceitful tactic to lure the teenage girl into his house. He falsely claimed that his elderly grandmother had fallen and needed assistance, a story designed to persuade the girl to follow him into the property. The court heard that there was no one in the house in Auchterarder at the time, a fact that the young girl quickly became aware of once inside. Her suspicions grew as she noticed the absence of any elderly person, and her discomfort increased.

As the situation escalated, Kemley revealed his true intentions by directly asking the girl whether she wanted to have sex. This revelation prompted her to make a swift escape from the house, fleeing the scene with Kemley in pursuit. She managed to get outside and immediately contacted her mother, who arrived promptly to find her distressed and upset. The police were also called to the scene, leading to Kemley's swift arrest.

During police interviews, Kemley admitted to the offence and expressed remorse for his actions. It was also noted during the court proceedings that mental health issues might have influenced his behaviour at the time. Depute fiscal Stuart Richardson provided details about the context of the offence, explaining that Kemley's relationship had recently ended, with the final breakup occurring on March 15, the day the incident took place.

Mr. Richardson clarified that the house involved was previously owned by the grandmother of Kemley's partner. He explained that although the grandmother had fallen and been hospitalized some time earlier, she was still in hospital at the time of the offence. Kemley had come out of the house and approached the girl, claiming that his grandmother had fallen and asking her to help. The girl, familiar with the situation, agreed to assist, believing she was helping an elderly lady in need.

Once inside, the girl left her belongings in the kitchen and followed Kemley upstairs, where her unease grew due to the absence of any elderly person. Kemley then made a brief comment about finding a walking stick for his grandmother before unexpectedly asking her if she wanted sex. The girl, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, ran downstairs and out of the house, hearing Kemley coming after her. She managed to escape and called her mother, who arrived shortly after to find her distressed. Kemley was seen driving away from the scene, and police later found that he had left her possessions on the doorstep of the house.

Kemley, of Parkside, Meigle, admitted to behaving in a threatening manner that caused fear and alarm, falsely claiming that an elderly person had fallen inside the property and that he needed help. His actions led the girl to enter the house under false pretenses, where he then encouraged her to follow him to a bedroom, asked her to have sex, and placed her in a state of fear and alarm.

During the court hearing, solicitor Mike Tavendale highlighted Kemley's fragile mental health, stating that the offence occurred during a period of mental health deterioration. He mentioned that Kemley had been treated at Murray Royal Hospital and had seen a psychiatrist, emphasizing his need for additional support. Despite these arguments, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis decided that placing Kemley on the sex offenders register for two years was appropriate. The sheriff acknowledged that while the incident might have been a moment of madness and the comments made by Kemley appeared foolish, there was a concerning element of planning and forethought involved in the offence.