STEVEN BRODIE FROM EDINBURGH AND CAITHNESS JAILED FOR CHILD SEX GROOMING IN SCOTLAND
| Red Rose Database
Edinburgh Caithness Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Caithness and Edinburgh, Steven Brodie, aged 29, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for engaging in sexual activities with two underage girls he met through online chat rooms. The case, which highlights the dangers of internet grooming and the exploitation of minors, was heard at the High Court in Edinburgh, where Judge Lord McPhail delivered a stern verdict against Brodie.
According to court records, Brodie first established contact with a 13-year-old girl from Caithness via internet chat. Over a period of time, the two exchanged approximately 200 text messages and phone calls, during which Brodie manipulated and groomed the young girl. After building a relationship of trust, Brodie drove to her home in the Highlands while her mother was away at work. It was during this visit that he engaged in sexual intercourse with her, an act that has been described as a clear case of calculated exploitation.
Brodie’s actions did not stop there. Police investigations later revealed that he had also developed a relationship with a 15-year-old girl through another chatroom. He subsequently took her to a bed-and-breakfast establishment for sexual activity. These revelations added to the severity of his crimes and underscored the extent of his predatory behavior.
During the court proceedings, Brodie admitted to having sex with the 13-year-old girl, fully aware of her age. He also confessed to having intercourse with the 15-year-old girl, claiming he believed she was 16 at the time. The judge noted that Brodie’s conduct demonstrated a blatant disregard for the well-being and safety of his victims, emphasizing that his actions were both cynical and calculated.
In his sentencing remarks, Lord McPhail condemned Brodie’s behavior as a “callous, cynical and deliberate grooming and exploitation of a child for sexual purposes.” He pointed out that Brodie, who was 28 at the time, knowingly engaged with a minor online, fully aware of her age, and that his actions had a detrimental impact on her education and her relationship with her mother.
The court was informed that Brodie’s primary concern appeared to be the potential consequences for himself rather than the harm inflicted upon his victims. A background report highlighted that his behavior had negatively affected the younger girl’s schooling and her familial relationships.
Details of the case revealed that Brodie met the 13-year-old victim in November of the previous year after she accessed the internet via her mobile phone and was connected to a chatroom. Initially believing he was around her age, she soon became aware of his true age as their communication progressed. After their sexual encounter, Brodie maintained contact with her until she confided in a friend, who then informed her mother. This led to police involvement and the subsequent arrest.
Defense solicitor Neil Wilson expressed that Brodie was “at a loss to explain his behavior towards the end of last year.” He stated that Brodie claimed he was not actively seeking a girl under the age of consent but was merely looking for a sexual relationship online. Brodie had earlier pleaded guilty to three charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with the underage girls, as well as two additional offences under legislation aimed at protecting children and preventing sexual offences.
The mother of the younger victim has previously issued warnings to other parents about the dangers of children accessing chatrooms on their mobile devices, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in protecting minors from online predators.
According to court records, Brodie first established contact with a 13-year-old girl from Caithness via internet chat. Over a period of time, the two exchanged approximately 200 text messages and phone calls, during which Brodie manipulated and groomed the young girl. After building a relationship of trust, Brodie drove to her home in the Highlands while her mother was away at work. It was during this visit that he engaged in sexual intercourse with her, an act that has been described as a clear case of calculated exploitation.
Brodie’s actions did not stop there. Police investigations later revealed that he had also developed a relationship with a 15-year-old girl through another chatroom. He subsequently took her to a bed-and-breakfast establishment for sexual activity. These revelations added to the severity of his crimes and underscored the extent of his predatory behavior.
During the court proceedings, Brodie admitted to having sex with the 13-year-old girl, fully aware of her age. He also confessed to having intercourse with the 15-year-old girl, claiming he believed she was 16 at the time. The judge noted that Brodie’s conduct demonstrated a blatant disregard for the well-being and safety of his victims, emphasizing that his actions were both cynical and calculated.
In his sentencing remarks, Lord McPhail condemned Brodie’s behavior as a “callous, cynical and deliberate grooming and exploitation of a child for sexual purposes.” He pointed out that Brodie, who was 28 at the time, knowingly engaged with a minor online, fully aware of her age, and that his actions had a detrimental impact on her education and her relationship with her mother.
The court was informed that Brodie’s primary concern appeared to be the potential consequences for himself rather than the harm inflicted upon his victims. A background report highlighted that his behavior had negatively affected the younger girl’s schooling and her familial relationships.
Details of the case revealed that Brodie met the 13-year-old victim in November of the previous year after she accessed the internet via her mobile phone and was connected to a chatroom. Initially believing he was around her age, she soon became aware of his true age as their communication progressed. After their sexual encounter, Brodie maintained contact with her until she confided in a friend, who then informed her mother. This led to police involvement and the subsequent arrest.
Defense solicitor Neil Wilson expressed that Brodie was “at a loss to explain his behavior towards the end of last year.” He stated that Brodie claimed he was not actively seeking a girl under the age of consent but was merely looking for a sexual relationship online. Brodie had earlier pleaded guilty to three charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with the underage girls, as well as two additional offences under legislation aimed at protecting children and preventing sexual offences.
The mother of the younger victim has previously issued warnings to other parents about the dangers of children accessing chatrooms on their mobile devices, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in protecting minors from online predators.