MICHAEL MCPHEE FROM RASTRICK SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL MESSAGE CRIMES INVOLVING TEENAGE GIRL IN RASTRICK

In December 2016, a man from Rastrick named Michael McPhee faced legal consequences after being found guilty of sending a large number of sexually explicit messages to a teenage girl through WhatsApp. The incident, which spanned over a period of six months, involved McPhee, aged 24 at the time, repeatedly sending inappropriate messages and requesting photographs from the underage girl, who is protected by legal restrictions from being identified publicly.

Prosecutor Geraldine Kelly highlighted that the young girl had dismissed McPhee’s comments, choosing to ignore his persistent requests. Kelly emphasized that over an extended period, McPhee’s messages became increasingly disturbing, clearly indicating his desire for sexual intimacy despite knowing the girl’s age. The messages were described as “quite disgusting,” reflecting a blatant disregard for boundaries and legality.

During the court proceedings, Judge Jonathan Rose addressed McPhee directly, acknowledging the resilience of the teenage girl who refused to engage with his advances. The judge remarked, “It is to the credit of this young girl that she was having none of it.” He also noted McPhee’s immaturity and social isolation as factors that, while not excusing his actions, might offer some context for his behavior.

McPhee, who resides on Bramston Street, admitted to causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. However, during police interviews, he claimed that the messages were merely “fantasy,” attempting to downplay the seriousness of his actions.

As part of his sentence, McPhee will be under supervision for two years and required to participate in a 50-day rehabilitation activity program. The judge also ordered him to complete 240 hours of unpaid community service, emphasizing that this punishment would serve as a stark reminder of the reprehensible nature of his conduct. Furthermore, McPhee is mandated to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and will be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, ensuring ongoing restrictions and monitoring to protect the community from potential harm.