JOSHUA PEMBERTON OF RUISAURIE SENTENCED IN DUMFRIES FOR REPEATED OFFENSES AGAINST UNDERAGE GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Beauly, Ruisaurie, and Dumfries, Joshua Pemberton, a 22-year-old man originally from Beauly and more recently residing in Dumfries, was sentenced to two years in prison following a series of disturbing criminal acts involving underage girls. The offences, which spanned from late 2018 into early 2019, included threats, extortion, and the distribution of indecent images, all committed while Pemberton was on bail for previous charges.

On the day of sentencing at Inverness Sheriff Court, Pemberton expressed a desire to serve time in prison, telling solicitor advocate Shahid Latif that he wanted to go to jail. This statement came amid discussions about his mental health and the circumstances surrounding his repeated offending. Mr. Latif, who represented Pemberton, conveyed to Sheriff Margaret Neilson that his client had indicated a preference for incarceration, despite the usual emphasis on rehabilitation. The advocate explained that Pemberton’s autism was considered a significant factor in his behavior, with a mental health specialist suggesting that his condition might explain his repeated criminal conduct within a short period.

Mr. Latif also expressed his own internal conflict, stating, “He has indicated he would prefer to go back to prison. I am internally conflicted. However those are my instructions. Normally I would have asked for him not to go to prison. But I can’t do that because of my instructions from him.” He further noted that Pemberton’s access to rehabilitative programs was limited during his previous incarceration, and that his parents did not wish to have him return home, leaving him homeless.

Sheriff Neilson, acknowledging the severity of the case, stated, “After what has been said, I have no other option but to impose a custodial sentence. But I do hope that you try and get the help you need while you are in custody.”

Details of Pemberton’s criminal history reveal a pattern of predatory behavior. In May 2018, he was jailed for 27 months after admitting to threatening a 13-year-old girl with rape and drowning unless she sent him obscene images. Police investigations uncovered additional disturbing material, including six indecent images of children, which Pemberton had downloaded and distributed. His crimes involved extorting images from two underage girls, threatening harm to coerce compliance, and lying about his age to manipulate a 12-year-old girl on social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat.

Between January 3 and January 31 of the previous year, Pemberton engaged in multiple offences. He contacted a 13-year-old girl on Instagram, rudely communicating with her before threatening harm if she refused to send nude photographs. She eventually complied, sending two images. Additionally, he threatened to share these images with her friends, further intimidating her. The court also heard that he had lied about his age to a 12-year-old girl, pressuring her into sending him ten videos of herself.

Furthermore, Pemberton was found to have communicated with seven different girls under the age of 16 while on bail, breaching the conditions of his release. His actions included sending sexual messages and threatening to share explicit images, all of which contributed to the serious nature of his sentencing.

In the earlier case from May 2018, Pemberton’s threats to a 13-year-old girl, including threats of rape and drowning, resulted in his imprisonment. Police investigations at that time revealed that he possessed multiple indecent images of children, which he had downloaded and shared. His behavior was described by Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald as “serious, sinister, and particularly disturbing,” especially given the threats of violence involved.

Today’s sentencing underscores the gravity of Pemberton’s actions and the ongoing concern for the safety of vulnerable minors. While the court recognized his autism as a factor, it emphasized the importance of accountability and the need for appropriate intervention to prevent further harm.