Fife councillor jailed for sexually abusing teenage girl

A disgraced Fife councillor who was found guilty of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl has been jailed for 27 months.

David Graham, 43, was convicted of having sex with the teenager following a trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in July.

The court heard how his abuse began after the pair met socially.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said Graham preyed on the youngster at various locations, including his office, house, and in his car over a six-month period in 2023.

A police investigation was launched after a member of the public became concerned about his behaviour towards the girl.

Graham, who was suspended from the Labour Party two years ago and has since been expelled following his conviction, continues to deny any wrongdoing.

After being released on bail while awaiting sentencing, riot police were called to a mass protest outside his home. The court heard his parents' home had also been targeted.

On Tuesday, Sheriff Robert More branded the offences between February and August 2023 an "escalating and brazen course of sexual behaviour" and said Graham had "undermined the trust" placed in him by the community.

The court heard that a "romantic relationship" developed after the girl's 15th birthday, which became "more intimate" and involved a 25-year age gap.

The sheriff said the single charge amounted to three offences, including engaging in sex activity with an older child, along with evidence of "planning" to avoid detection.

Sheriff More stated: "The conduct took place at a variety of locations including the home you shared with your then partner.

"You were aware of how old the girl was and had been warned by her family to stay away from her.

"Laws are intended to protect children from those who would exploit their vulnerability. There is nothing to suggest she was physically harmed or evidence that she has suffered psychological harm.

"In my view there is a real risk your offending will have such a psychological impact."

In addition to the prison sentence, Graham was also added to the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Helen Nisbet, procurator fiscal for Tayside, Central and Fife, said: "David Graham saw an opportunity to systematically groom and sexually abuse a vulnerable young girl, who had the right to be safe in his company.

"He cynically and deliberately took advantage of an unbalanced power dynamic to commit these offences over the course of several months.

"Graham has now been held accountable following this prosecution, and I give thanks to the victim for giving evidence which helped secure this conviction.

"I would urge anyone affected by similar offending to report it when you feel ready."

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Fife Council said a by-election will be held in Ward 22 (Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages) in the next few months.

Councillor David Ross, the local authority's leader, said: "This case has shocked us all and I am pleased that this means David Graham will now be disqualified from serving as a councillor on Fife Council.

"I want to pay tribute to the bravery of the young person involved in this case in coming forward and hope that today's sentencing goes some way towards her healing process.

"David Graham should have resigned as a councillor as soon as he was convicted if not before, and his disqualification will be welcomed across the council."

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