A man is facing jail time after engaging in over 15,000 social media messages with a schoolgirl, leading to a sexual encounter. The shocking discovery was made when the youngster’s parents found a vast amount of messages and intimate images on her phone. Darren McCulloch, 26, from Tom Johnston Place in Kirkintilloch, travelled to Wishaw, the girl’s hometown, where they engaged in unlawful sexual activity in a park.
Appearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court, McCulloch admitted to having sexual communication with a child between May and September 2022 and engaging in sexual activity on one occasion. The court heard that the relationship began when the girl sent messages from her cousin’s phone, and McCulloch, despite being aware of her age of 14, continued to exchange messages with her. They progressed to sending sexualized messages, images, and videos.
On one occasion in September, McCulloch and the girl met at Wishaw train station, proceeded to Morrisons, and then to Wishaw Academy Park where sexual contact occurred. Concerned by their daughter’s behaviour, the parents accessed her phone and discovered the extensive communication with McCulloch. The police were then contacted.
Over 15,000 WhatsApp messages were found on the girl’s phone, along with communication via Facetime and Snapchat. McCulloch, who has no previous convictions, was placed on the sex offenders’ register. Sheriff Liam Murphy deferred sentencing for background reports, an electronic tagging assessment, and a risk assessment, emphasizing that all sentencing options, including imprisonment, are on the table.
As the case unfolds, the seriousness of the charges and the impact on the victim and her family are under scrutiny. The community and legal authorities are working towards ensuring justice is served and that such incidents are prevented in the future. The need to protect vulnerable individuals and uphold the law in cases involving minors is paramount.