STEWART PETRIE FROM ABERDEEN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL AT KIRK MANSE

A disturbing case has come to light involving Stewart Petrie, a man from Aberdeen, who was convicted of engaging in prolonged sexual abuse of a young girl starting when she was only 12 years old. The incident reportedly began after the girl and Petrie met through their church community, leading to a series of inappropriate and criminal acts that spanned over two years.

According to court proceedings held at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Petrie, aged 38 at the time of sentencing, was found guilty of multiple charges including sending sexual messages, kissing the girl, and performing a sexual act on her. Despite the gravity of these offenses, Petrie was not sentenced to prison but was instead given a community-based penalty. Sheriff Ian Wallace ordered Petrie to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and mandated his registration on the sex offenders’ register.

The court was informed that Petrie’s abusive behavior took place between 2003 and 2005 at various locations, notably including the Craigiebuckler Church manse in Aberdeen, where his father, Reverend Kenneth Petrie, 65, serves as the church minister. The case revealed that Petrie’s actions were particularly heinous given their context; the girl, who looked up to him as a member of her church community, was vulnerable and trusting.

During the trial, Petrie denied all charges, but the jury found him guilty based on the evidence presented. The law chief, Sheriff Ian Wallace, addressed Petrie directly, emphasizing the severity of his misconduct. He stated, “You engaged in sexual activity with a child over a prolonged period. You were both members of the same church and she looked up to you. Your actions have had a lasting impact.”

Following his conviction, Petrie, who is now married and has children, chose to leave his previous employment at a Kirk care home before the trial commenced. The church authorities have announced that they are reviewing the case thoroughly to determine if there are any lessons to be learned from this troubling incident and to ensure appropriate measures are taken moving forward.