TOBY DEACON SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN PRISON IN INVERNESS FOR TEENAGE SEXUAL OFFENCES

Toby Deacon has received a six-year prison sentence after being convicted of sexual offences committed during his teenage years. Deacon, who was just 15 years old when he first assaulted a 14-year-old girl in May 2016 at a property in Inverness, was also found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl in October 2020, in the same city. During the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, Deacon, now 22 and formerly living in Fortrose, maintained his innocence but was convicted of the charges. The judge noted that Deacon had continued to deny responsibility throughout the proceedings.

In the sentencing process, Lord Clark highlighted that a background report revealed Deacon showed no remorse for his actions and even claimed that the victims had fabricated their accounts. The judge emphasized the severity of the offences, stating that "only a custodial disposal was appropriate." He further explained that if Deacon had been an adult at the time, he would have faced a sentence of eight years and six months. Acknowledging Deacon's immaturity at the time of the first offence, Lord Clark decided on a reduced sentence. However, Deacon was deemed a medium risk for future sexual offences and was placed on the sex offenders' register for life.