ROBIN BRANDON FROM DUNOON ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL ABUSE OF 6-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN ROTHESAY

In a case that has shocked the local community, 18-year-old Robin Brandon, a talented musician from Dunoon, was found guilty of sexually abusing a young girl over a period of more than four years. The offences took place in Rothesay, where Brandon committed acts of a highly disturbing nature against a girl who was between six and ten years old at the time.

Brandon’s crimes came to light after the victim confided in a friend, which ultimately led to his arrest and subsequent court proceedings. The case was heard at the High Court in Edinburgh, where Brandon was given a sentence that, while not involving immediate imprisonment, included a two-year probation period. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to participate in a programme designed to address and modify his behaviour.

During the court hearing, it was revealed that Brandon had initially described his offending as “experimenting when he was younger” during police interviews. He later expressed to a psychologist that his arrest had brought him a sense of relief, indicating a complex emotional response to the situation. The judge, Lord Lord Turnbull, emphasized the gravity of Brandon’s actions, stating that the offences were serious enough to warrant the proceedings being held in the High Court, a court typically reserved for more severe cases.

Lord Turnbull made it clear that Brandon, being an intelligent young man, would understand that such behaviour usually results in a lengthy custodial sentence. The judge highlighted the emotional harm inflicted on the victim and underscored society’s strong disapproval of such conduct. Despite this, he acknowledged the importance of addressing Brandon’s behaviour through a structured programme, considering the unusual and unfortunate circumstances of his background. The court also noted that Brandon had already endured a self-imposed, punitive regime, which was taken into account during sentencing.

It was also revealed that Brandon harboured ambitions of becoming a world-class oboe player, a goal that he was actively pursuing by living a relatively isolated life in Argyll to focus on his musical development. His defence counsel, Donald MacLeod QC, urged the court to consider a non-custodial sentence, emphasizing Brandon’s dedication to his craft and the need for rehabilitation rather than imprisonment.

Earlier, in March 2014, Brandon had admitted to the charges of sexual abuse. During police interviews, he claimed that his actions were a form of experimentation. The offences involved touching the girl and forcing her to perform a sex act on him, with the abuse occurring approximately four times a month when she was between seven and ten years old. The court was informed that Brandon made the girl perform oral sex on him during this period.

When confronted by police, Brandon described his behaviour as “experimenting” and expressed a sense of relief that the misconduct had been uncovered. The prosecution highlighted his talent as a musician and his aspirations to join an orchestra, but emphasized the severity of his crimes. His regret and shame were acknowledged by his legal representatives, who sought an understanding approach to his sentencing, ultimately resulting in the probation order and behavioural programme rather than immediate imprisonment.