In 2024, the Offender Database reported that Stewart Barclay, then 21, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court after targeting a 14-year-old girl with indecent messages and naked images. Barclay, who the court has described as a “menace” to young women, admitted to coercing the child into viewing sexual material between June and December 2022.
The investigation by Police Scotland revealed that the grooming took place in various locations, including Turriff, Aberdeenshire, a house in Elgin, Moray, and a McDonald’s restaurant. Despite the victim repeatedly telling Barclay that his behaviour was “grossing her out” and “wrong,” he continued to send crude messages and a video of himself.
Sinister Approaches and Police Discovery
The court heard that Barclay asked the child to be his girlfriend before his approaches became increasingly sinister. He repeatedly pressured the girl to send him indecent photographs of herself, which she bravely refused to do. On one occasion, he ordered her to “get naked,” later dishonestly claiming he was “just joking” when she refused.
The abuse was uncovered during a routine visit by police on 8 March 2023, when detectives found the child’s number on Barclay’s phone. A detective called the number, leading the girl to disclose the harassment and provide a complete statement to Police Scotland the following month.
Repeat Offending and Court History
Barclay is a serial offender with a history of targeting children as young as 12 dating back to 2016. His criminal record includes:
- 2020: Targeting a 14-year-old girl on Snapchat.
- 2023: Being jailed for breaching court orders related to sending nude photos to a child.
- Aberdeen and Banff: Previous appearances for similar predatory crimes.
For his latest offences, Barclay admitted to communicating indecently and coercing a child to look at sexual images. Sheriff Robert McDonald emphasised that Barclay is clearly a persistent danger to teenage girls.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Barclay is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Police Scotland. His residency and movements across Aberdeenshire and Moray remain under intense scrutiny. Following his guilty plea, he was again placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
The sentence was deferred until 4 February to prepare background reports. Given his status as a repeat predator who has consistently breached the trust of the court, he faces a significant custodial sentence. Police Scotland emphasises that routine monitoring of registered sex offenders is vital in identifying and stopping further grooming attempts.
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