MARTIN MACPHERSON SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN MERROW

In July 1996, a disturbing case unfolded involving Martin MacPherson, a young man from Merrow, Surrey, who was convicted of attempting to sexually assault a four-year-old girl. The incident drew widespread outrage and intense media coverage, highlighting the severity of the crime and the judicial response.

MacPherson, aged 19 at the time, was entrusted with babysitting the young girl by her parents, who were then residents of Aviemore. The parents had asked him to watch over their daughter for an evening, unaware of the dark intentions he harbored. During the night, the girl woke up distressed, claiming she had a nightmare. MacPherson, who was present, comforted her by placing her on his knee and promising to make her fear go away. However, his actions took a sinister turn as he then attempted to assault her.

The young girl, visibly upset, later expressed her discomfort and fear, telling her parents, “Don’t get that babysitter again, I didn’t like it.” Her distress was compounded by the fact that she had woken up crying and had confided in her parents about her nightmare, which was exploited by MacPherson.

Following the incident, the girl’s mother was overwhelmed with emotion, running from the High Court in Edinburgh in tears to seek solace from friends. The case attracted significant attention, with the judge, Lord Hamilton, emphasizing the gravity of the crime. He acknowledged the horror of such an act committed against a defenseless child and stated that a prison sentence was necessary to reflect society’s condemnation of such behavior.

Initially, the court considered the possibility of a life sentence, especially after a social worker warned that MacPherson might reoffend. Despite this, MacPherson refused to accept full responsibility at first, even though he later confessed to a psychiatrist that he was disgusted with himself for what he had done. His remorse was noted, but the court ultimately sentenced him to four years in prison.

In delivering the sentence, Lord Hamilton remarked that the punishment was intended “to mark the horror of all right-thinking people for such a crime committed on such a small child.” The decision sparked controversy, with the girl’s mother expressing her outrage at what she perceived as a lenient sentence given the gravity of the offense. The case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals entrusted with the care of children and the importance of stringent judicial measures to protect the most vulnerable.