In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Santiago McMurtrie, then 37, of Foyers Road, Kinlochleven, Inverness, was sentenced to nine years. On Monday, 19 January 2026, McMurtrie appeared via video link at Norwich Crown Court to be jailed following a “reprehensible” campaign of grooming and sexual abuse against a child in Norfolk.
The investigation established that McMurtrie “persistently” groomed his victim online before travelling from Scotland to Norfolk to carry out his “abhorrent” crimes. Following a trial that began on 5 January, a jury found him guilty of 11 counts of sexual activity with a child. Despite his initial pleas of not guilty, the evidence provided a “critical” account of his predatory behaviour and the “systematic” exploitation of the young girl.
Judicial Findings and Victim Protection
The court reported that McMurtrie’s actions involved a high degree of planning, including the long-distance travel required to facilitate the abuse. The prosecution emphasised that the digital grooming process was “sinister,” designed to manipulate the child’s trust before the physical offences occurred. The unanimous guilty verdict on all 11 counts underscored the strength of the evidence presented during the two-week trial.
The judge presiding over the case noted that McMurtrie posed a “significant” risk to children, necessitating a lengthy custodial term and ongoing monitoring. The court heard that the victim has been left with “devastating” emotional scars due to the “persistent” nature of the attacks.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in Norfolk and Kinlochleven, Santiago McMurtrie was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Eight years in immediate custody.
- Extended Licence: An additional one-year period of supervision upon release.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were imposed for life.
- SHPO: A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was issued to monitor his future conduct and digital access.
- Restraining Order: A formal order prohibiting any further contact with the victim.
Monitoring and Public Protection
McMurtrie is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Norfolk Constabulary and Police Scotland. His history of “calculated” cross-border travel to commit sex offences means his status remains under “critical” scrutiny by authorities in both Inverness and Norwich.
As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, McMurtrie must comply with strict notification requirements regarding his address on Foyers Road, Kinlochleven. Authorities state that his nine-year extended sentence reflects the “serious” danger he poses to children. Any breach of his registration conditions, his SHPO, or the restraining order following his release will result in his immediate return to Norwich Crown Court.
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