MICHAEL HAUGH LETHAM ANGUS GUILTY OF MOLESTATION AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Letham and the wider Angus region, Michael Haugh, an 82-year-old resident of Kirkgait, Letham, has been found guilty of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young girls and the possession of indecent images of children. The conviction was handed down at Dundee Sheriff Court after a jury deliberated for less than four hours, ultimately determining Haugh's guilt on multiple serious charges.

Haugh was convicted on two counts of molesting young girls, with the incidents spanning several years and locations. One of the assaults took place at Arbroath Swimming Pool, where he engaged in inappropriate conduct with a 10-year-old girl. The court heard that Haugh had groomed the young victim over a period of time, which involved buying her presents and taking her swimming on various occasions between 2014 and 2017. During these encounters, he touched her inappropriately, including touching her buttocks and thighs, kissing her on the mouth, and squeezing her breasts at locations such as the Arbroath Sports Centre.

Furthermore, the court was informed that Haugh had committed penetrative sexual acts on the same young girl, adding to the severity of his crimes. The evidence presented painted a disturbing picture of a man who exploited his position of trust and used grooming tactics to manipulate his victims.

In addition to the abuse of the 10-year-old girl, Haugh attempted to engage a second young girl, then aged 14, in sexual activity at his residence in Letham. The court heard that between early 2010 and the end of 2011, Haugh made her wear a dress, grabbed her breast while she was in the toilet, and attempted to take photographs of her in a state of undress. These actions further underscored the pattern of predatory behavior Haugh exhibited.

Haugh, who walks with the aid of a stick, denied the allegations, claiming that the girls were conspiring against him. He also alleged that his youngest victim had been coached by the older girl on what to say during the trial. He described his youngest victim as a “troubled child” and claimed he could not recall any incident at Arbroath Leisure Centre. However, these claims were dismissed by the prosecution, with depute fiscal Sarah Wilkinson describing them as “outlandish.”

The jury's verdict also included a conviction for possessing and producing indecent images of children. Police experts discovered numerous depraved images on Haugh’s computer, which he had attempted to erase using software. Haugh claimed he regularly used CC Cleaner to maintain his computer, but evidence showed that he only used it once in 2019, the day after police informed him he was under investigation.

Sentencing has been deferred until July 27, allowing for reports to be prepared and a restriction of liberty assessment to be conducted. An application for bail was denied, reflecting the seriousness of the charges and the court’s concern for public safety. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Letham and highlights the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from predators.