MATTHEW MCCOURT INNVERNESS MORAY NAIRN: REOFFENDING PAEDOPHILE FACES PRISON RETURN

In July 2019, Matthew McCourt, a convicted sex offender with a troubling history in Inverness, Moray, and Nairn, was once again brought before the courts amid serious allegations involving the possession of indecent images of children. This case highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding his previous offenses and the potential risk he poses to the community.

McCourt’s criminal record dates back to 2011, when he was sentenced to 34 months in prison after being found guilty of sexual offenses committed against a young girl in Inverness and a primary school pupil in Nairn. His actions at that time prompted authorities to classify him as a high risk of reoffending, leading to his placement on the sex offenders register indefinitely. The severity of his past crimes and the potential danger he represented were central to the ongoing legal proceedings.

Fast forward to the recent case, McCourt, now 33 years old and residing at Greenbank Court in Buckie, appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court to face charges related to the possession of indecent images of children. The prosecution revealed that between November 21 and December 13 of the previous year, McCourt was found to have in his possession photographs depicting children aged between one and 15 years old. The discovery of these images reignited fears about his propensity to reoffend and the adequacy of his previous commitments to rehabilitation.

During the hearing, the fiscal depute, Kevin Corrins, detailed the disturbing nature of the images, emphasizing their age range and the serious implications of such material. McCourt had previously expressed a willingness to participate in programs aimed at addressing his urges while incarcerated, but critics questioned whether these efforts had been sufficient or effective.

His legal representative, solicitor Stephen Carty, argued for leniency, asserting that McCourt should not be returned to prison immediately. Carty stated, “Mr McCourt has previously served a custodial sentence and there are obviously some issues there that have not been addressed.” Despite this plea, Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov issued a stern warning, granting bail but cautioning that this decision should not be interpreted as a final leniency. The sheriff emphasized the seriousness of the charges and the potential consequences, indicating that the case’s outcome would be determined after further reports, which were scheduled for September 6.

Looking back at McCourt’s earlier convictions, in November 2011, he was sentenced to 34 months in prison for abusing two young girls. The court heard that McCourt, then 26 years old, had engaged in lewd and libidinous behavior towards a girl in Nairn, who was just eight years old at the time, over a period spanning from September 2007 to December 2009. Additionally, he admitted to abusing a 12-year-old girl in Inverness over an 11-month period from January 2010 to November 2010. His crimes were compounded by the possession of indecent photographs, which he admitted to possessing at an address in Inverness between April 27 and May 11 of the same year.

Legal representatives had called for a psychological assessment, citing McCourt’s learning difficulties and unstable living situation, which included homelessness and a lack of family support. His defense argued that these factors should be taken into account, emphasizing the importance of supervision and ongoing treatment.

In sentencing, Sheriff Ian Abercrombie acknowledged the heinous nature of McCourt’s crimes, describing them as “truly terrible” and noting the prolonged period over which the abuse occurred. The sheriff sentenced McCourt to 34 months in prison and ordered him to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register. He also advised that McCourt should serve at least half of his sentence to ensure that any necessary treatment could be fully implemented. The sentence was backdated to May of that year, meaning McCourt could potentially be released as early as October 2012, contingent upon his behavior and ongoing assessments.