JAMIE MURRAY FROM PERTHSHIRE CLEARED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN OXFORD CROWN COURT

An aristocrat from Perthshire has recounted the harrowing 18-month ordeal he endured before being officially cleared of serious allegations involving a minor. The Hon James Murray, aged 42 and the second son of the Earl of Mansfield, expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family for their unwavering support as he stood on the steps of Oxford Crown Court following the jury's verdict of not guilty. The charges against him involved accusations of attacking a 16-year-old girl after allegedly getting her intoxicated with vodka, a claim that was ultimately dismissed by the court.

During the proceedings, lawyer Michael Geeson read a statement on behalf of Mr. Murray, who is an IT specialist with an educational background from Eton. Mr. Murray, who grew up at Scone Palace in Perthshire, described the past 18 months as the most difficult period of his life. He emphasized the emotional toll it took not only on himself but also on his family, who had to endure the stress of the allegations, the intense media interest, and the uncertainty surrounding the case. Mr. Geeson highlighted that Mr. Murray remained deeply grateful for his family's steadfast support, especially since his initial arrest in June 2010 and subsequent charge in April 2011. The statement conveyed Mr. Murray’s desire to move forward and leave this painful chapter behind.

Jurors deliberated for less than an hour before reaching a verdict of not guilty on all counts related to the alleged attack. The case centered around an incident involving a girl, now aged 17, at Mr. Murray’s flat in Perthshire. It was acknowledged that Mr. Murray had engaged in sexual relations with the girl over several days in June 2010. However, he expressed feelings of discomfort about the situation and clarified that the girl, a foster child, had “installed herself” in his flat after they became friends. He explained that she had helped him identify stolen bicycles from his flats block, which was part of their interaction.

The court heard that the girl was among a group of teenage friends who visited Mr. Murray’s residence to drink alcohol, smoke, listen to music, and use his laptop. Mr. Murray admitted to acting as a sort of transportation service, driving her and her friends around Perthshire. The Crown’s case claimed that Mr. Murray had raped her after they watched a film together in his flat early on June 26, 2010. However, Mr. Murray maintained that the first sexual encounter took place when she was in his spare room, asserting, “I felt she was expecting me to initiate sex,” which he did. The following morning, the girl’s friends arrived at the flat, and tensions escalated as they questioned whether anything had happened between her and Mr. Murray. The group then left, and Mr. Murray later attempted to contact her multiple times through calls and texts, apologizing 21 times, though he admitted he was unsure of what he was apologizing for.

Throughout the case, Mr. Murray’s family stood by him. His sister, Lady Georgina Bullough, described him as having the emotional maturity of a teenager, a point that the defense argued undermined the prosecution’s case. The court acknowledged that this characterization was not inconsistent with the allegations. Upon hearing the verdict, Mr. Murray smiled and received congratulations before being driven away in a taxi. His brother, The Honourable Alexander David Mungo Murray, Viscount Stormont, expressed that the family found the entire process stressful but maintained their belief in Jamie Murray’s innocence. They have requested privacy now that the case has concluded. The family declined to comment further on Mr. Murray’s admitted sexual relationship with the teenager, stating only their confidence in his innocence and their happiness over his acquittal.