In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Gordon Brotherston, then 64, of Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway, was remanded in custody after admitting to a “serious” and “vile” campaign of sexual abuse. Brotherston, a private music teacher, utilised his position of trust to target three teenage girls during tuition sessions at his home. The investigation by Police Scotland revealed that the “vicious” abuse took place over several years, sometimes occurring on a weekly basis while his wife was in another room of the property.
The court heard horrendous details of the “depraved” behaviour Brotherston exhibited between 2008 and 2011. He admitted to sending “vile” sexually explicit messages to a girl under 15, before escalating the abuse to include “vicious” physical acts and unlawful sexual intercourse. A second victim, also under 16, was targeted at his home and in his car, where Brotherston vilely exploited their student-teacher relationship for his own “vicious” sexual gratification.
Further “serious” charges revealed that as recently as June 2018, Brotherston engaged in sexual activity and exposed himself to a third girl who had just turned 16. The prosecution emphasised that the “vile” behaviour only came to light after one victim’s mother bravely reported him to the police. During the proceedings at Dumfries Sheriff Court, it was reported that Brotherston had “viciously” manipulated his victims, using the “safe” environment of music tuition to facilitate his “predatory” attacks.
As a result of his guilty pleas to multiple counts of sexual activity with a child and indecent acts, Gordon Brotherston was jailed and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. He is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Police Scotland, ensuring his behaviour and any future contact with the public in Dumfries and elsewhere is strictly monitored. Any further “vile” actions or attempts to provide tuition to minors will result in his immediate arrest and return to prison.
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