INVERNESS SEX OFFENDER STEVEN WHITECROSS SENTENCED AFTER CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND DRUG SUPPLY CASES

Steven Whitecross, a 44-year-old lorry driver from Inverness and father of two, was found guilty of a series of disturbing sexual offenses involving young victims. The court proceedings revealed that Whitecross had engaged in inappropriate and criminal behavior that deeply affected the lives of those involved.

Over the course of a trial lasting six days at Inverness Sheriff Court, evidence was presented that detailed Whitecross's misconduct. The charges included three counts of sexual assault committed against three different victims between April 2008 and July 2012. The court also heard that Whitecross had supplied alcohol and cannabis to teenagers, actions that contributed to a dangerous environment for the young people involved.

One of the most distressing aspects of the case was the testimony concerning his own children. It was revealed that Whitecross had solicited his son and daughter to consume alcohol and cannabis, actions that created a false sense of safety for his young girl friends, whom he subsequently sexually assaulted. The court heard that one girl, only 13 years old at the time, was molested by Whitecross, an experience that left her with ongoing mental health struggles.

The impact on the victims was profound, with testimonies highlighting the trauma and emotional scars inflicted by Whitecross’s actions. Despite the severity of the crimes, Whitecross was sentenced to a non-custodial supervision order for three years. Sheriff Margaret Neilson explained that Whitecross had already served the equivalent of four months in custody due to remand. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid community work and was registered on the sex offenders register for a period of three years.

Both victims and Whitecross himself appeared visibly shocked and disappointed with the sentence handed down. Linda King, Whitecross’s ex-wife, publicly condemned the court’s decision, describing it as a failure of justice and labeling him as an 'evil and violent man.' The victims expressed feelings of fear, betrayal, and frustration, feeling that justice had not been fully achieved in their case.

The court also heard that Whitecross exploited his own children to facilitate his abusive behavior, a revelation that added to the gravity of his crimes. The long-lasting effects of his actions on the victims’ mental health were emphasized during the proceedings, underscoring the profound and enduring harm caused by his misconduct.