STEPHEN MURRAY'S SHOCKING SEX OFFENSES IN GLASGOW AND SOUTH QUEENSFERRY REVEALED

In October 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving Stephen Murray, a man with connections to both Glasgow and South Queensferry, who was convicted of sexually abusing three young boys at his residence. The heinous acts took place over a period spanning from April 2014 to January 2015, leaving a trail of trauma and fear among the victims.

Stephen Murray, aged 50, was known to have invited vulnerable boys to stay overnight at his flat, which was located in South Queensferry at the time. Under the guise of hospitality and kindness, he exploited their trust and innocence. The victims, all minors, were subjected to inappropriate physical contact, including kissing and groping, while they were in his home. The severity of the assaults left the boys feeling utterly petrified, a state of fear that prevented them from confiding in anyone for years.

The first victim, who was a teenager at the time, was contacted by Murray through a private message on Facebook. The offender, claiming to sympathize with the boy’s recent loss of a family member, stated that he understood what the boy was going through. Murray then sent gifts to the boy via post, further establishing a manipulative relationship. The boy was eventually persuaded to visit Murray’s home after attending an event at Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife in April 2014. During that night, the boy heard the door of the bedroom opening, and Murray, described as a sleazy bus driver, entered the room and slipped into bed beside him.

What followed was a series of disturbing acts. Murray began to rub the boy’s body and tickle his ear, then proceeded to pull down the boy’s boxer shorts and attempted to masturbate him. The boy, overwhelmed and frightened, pretended to be asleep and did not report the incident immediately. It was only years later that he disclosed the assault to police, revealing that he had been sexually assaulted again six months later during a second stay at Murray’s home. In this second incident, Murray again entered the boy’s room during the night, kissed and fondled his genitals while the boy pretended to sleep, and left the boy feeling terrified and helpless.

The third victim’s ordeal was similar. In January 2015, after agreeing to stay overnight at Murray’s South Queensferry residence, he was also subjected to sexual assault. The full extent of these crimes only came to light in January 2019 when one of the victims finally contacted police to report the abuse. The investigation uncovered that Murray had engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old boy, including rubbing his leg and touching his penis over clothing, at his South Queensferry address between January 1 and 31, 2015. Additionally, Murray admitted to sexually assaulting two teenage boys on separate occasions at addresses in South Queensferry and Ayrshire.

During his court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this year, Murray pleaded guilty to all charges. He acknowledged the sexual assaults committed against the three boys, which spanned over a year. His social media profiles revealed that he was a volunteer with the International Fire and Rescue Association charity, which supports fire services at large events. He also claimed to be an RAF reservist, a sessional medic, and a home carer for family members.

On Tuesday, Sheriff Nigel Ross sentenced Murray to 19 months in prison. The court also ordered him to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a period of ten years. The judge’s decision reflects the gravity of the crimes and the lasting impact on the victims, who endured years of silence and trauma before justice was finally served.