SEAN THOMSON FROM COUPAR ANGUS ESCAPES JAIL AFTER GROOMING TWO SCHOOLGIRLS IN PERTHSHIRE

In a case that has once again raised concerns about the safety of young girls and the accountability of offenders, Sean Thomson, aged 21 and hailing from Coupar Angus in Perthshire, was brought before Perth Sheriff Court to face serious allegations of grooming and inappropriate conduct involving minors.

Back in July 2016, Thomson was found guilty of grooming two schoolgirls over an eight-month period, a pattern of predatory behavior that shocked the local community and highlighted the ongoing risks posed by individuals with a history of such offenses. Despite admitting to his second offense within less than a year, Thomson was handed a relatively lenient sentence, walking free from court with only a five-year registration on the sex offenders’ register and a fine of £1,000.

The court proceedings revealed that Thomson had previously been convicted for engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl. During that earlier case, he had claimed that the girl willingly engaged in the relationship, a statement that did little to mitigate his culpability. The court was also informed that Thomson had been warned by Sheriff William Wood not to repeat such behavior, emphasizing the seriousness of his previous misconduct.

In the more recent case, Thomson pleaded guilty to grooming a 15-year-old girl over a two-month period in 2014. The grooming involved sending explicit images of himself and encouraging the girl to reciprocate with similar photographs. The court heard that Thomson was aware of the girl’s age but claimed to be unaware that she was under 16, asserting in a letter of apology that he believed she was 15 and was shocked to learn she was only 13.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis addressed Thomson directly, stating, “At the end of the day, you, as an adult, knew full well the person you were communicating with was under the age of 16.” The court’s decision to avoid jail was based on the fact that Thomson had pleaded guilty and showed some remorse, but the judge made it clear that his conduct was unacceptable and that he should be aware of the gravity of his actions.

Details of Thomson’s previous offenses emerged during the court proceedings, revealing that he had engaged in sexual communication with a 14-year-old girl in January 2014. The police uncovered explicit images on the girl’s mobile phone during an unrelated investigation, which led to Thomson’s charges. Sheriff William Wood emphasized the importance of recognizing the wrongfulness of such conduct, warning Thomson not to let it happen again.

The case has once again cast a spotlight on the dangers faced by young girls and the importance of strict enforcement of laws designed to protect minors from exploitation and grooming. Despite the serious nature of his offenses, Thomson’s relatively light sentence has sparked debate about the adequacy of penalties for such crimes and the ongoing need for vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable children in communities like Coupar Angus and across Perthshire.