In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Lewis Webster, then 26, of Glenesk Avenue, Montrose, Angus, escaped further imprisonment after grooming and sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. On Tuesday, 3 February 2026, Webster appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court for sentencing, having previously pled guilty to engaging in unlawful sexual activity with the child between March and July 2024.
The investigation established that Webster, a convicted drug dealer, “wove his way” into the victim’s family, eventually being trusted as an emergency contact. The prosecution reported that Webster used Snapchat to send secret messages to the girl and managed to maintain sexual contact even after the family discovered the messages. He targeted the child in Arbroath, Angus, over a four-month period, which culminated in repeated sexual encounters. Following his arrest, Webster showed a “vile” lack of remorse, reportedly describing his 14-year-old victim as “the right girl at the wrong time.”
Judicial Findings and Criminal History
Sheriff George Way emphasised that a Community Payback Order (CPO) was the most effective way to prevent Webster from reoffending. The court reported that Webster had previously been sentenced to 27 months in custody in 2022 for attempting to import £20,000 worth of ecstasy from Amsterdam to Arbroath. The judge emphasised that forensic psychological reports suggested a rehabilitation-focused approach would be more beneficial than a short prison term.
The prosecution emphasised that Webster engaged in unprotected sexual activity with the child on multiple occasions. Sheriff Way emphasised that the “stringent package” of rehabilitation and restrictions imposed on Webster would provide the necessary oversight to protect the public. For his crimes in Angus, the court determined that Webster required intensive intervention through specialised sex offender programmes to address his predatory behaviour.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in Scotland, Lewis Webster was handed:
- Supervision: Three years of intensive supervision under a Community Payback Order (CPO).
- Rehabilitation: Mandatory participation in the Tay Project and Moving Forward to Change programmes for sex offenders.
- Non-Harassment Order: A three-year order prohibiting any contact with the victim.
- Conduct Requirements: Stringent restrictions on his access to the internet and digital devices.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated for three years.
- Convictions: Pled guilty to engaging in unlawful sexual activity with a girl under 16.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Webster is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Police Scotland and Angus Council social work services. Due to his history of drug trafficking and his grooming of a child, his management remains a high priority for the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Webster must comply with mandatory notification requirements regarding his residence in Glenesk Avenue, Montrose. Authorities state that the Moving Forward to Change programme is a critical tool to ensure he is monitored and challenged on his “vile” attitudes toward minors. Any breach of his registration conditions, his non-harassment order, or his conduct requirements will result in his immediate arrest and return to Dundee Sheriff Court, where a custodial sentence will be activated.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.