A massage therapist who groped the breasts of two female clients while treating them for back and neck problems escaped a jail term in April. Gavin Murray, 60, fondled the women while massaging them as they lay semi-naked on a treatment table at his clinic in Dunbar, East Lothian. One victim told the court she felt “violated” by the sex assault on her and was so distressed afterwards she suffered panic attacks and was forced to take time off work. The second woman said she had been left “exposed” during the massage session where Murray had “stopped just short of touching my nipples”. Murray, from Dunbar, returned to the dock for sentencing on Monday, April 8, where Sheriff Ian Anderson was told the shamed therapist continues to deny he attacked both women. Sheriff Anderson said he was issuing a community disposal as “an alternative to custody due to the nature of the offences”. Murray was placed on a supervision order and on the Sex Offenders Register for 12 months.A massage therapist who groped the breasts of two female clients while treating them for back and neck problems escaped a jail term in April. Gavin Murray, 60, fondled the women while massaging them as they lay semi-naked on a treatment table at his clinic in Dunbar, East Lothian. One victim told the court she felt “violated” by the sex assault on her and was so distressed afterwards she suffered panic attacks and was forced to take time off work. The second woman said she had been left “exposed” during the massage session where Murray had “stopped just short of touching my nipples”. Murray, from Dunbar, returned to the dock for sentencing on Monday, April 8, where Sheriff Ian Anderson was told the shamed therapist continues to deny he attacked both women. Sheriff Anderson said he was issuing a community disposal as “an alternative to custody due to the nature of the offences”. Murray was placed on a supervision order and on the Sex Offenders Register for 12 months.
A massage therapist who groped the breasts of two female clients while treating them for back and neck problems escaped a jail term in April. Gavin Murray, 60, fondled the women while massaging them as they lay semi-naked on a treatment table at his clinic in Dunbar, East Lothian. One victim told the court she felt “violated” by the sex assault on her and was so distressed afterwards she suffered panic attacks and was forced to take time off work. The second woman said she had been left “exposed” during the massage session where Murray had “stopped just short of touching my nipples”. Murray, from Dunbar, returned to the dock for sentencing on Monday, April 8, where Sheriff Ian Anderson was told the shamed therapist continues to deny he attacked both women. Sheriff Anderson said he was issuing a community disposal as “an alternative to custody due to the nature of the offences”. Murray was placed on a supervision order and on the Sex Offenders Register for 12 months.

Edinburgh crime: 8 criminals handed sentences in April at Edinburgh's courts - in pictures

Kevin Quinn
By Kevin Quinn
Published 5th May 2024, 04:45 BST

Criminals who were sentenced at Edinburgh’s courts in April

Edinburgh’s courts dished out sentences in April for crimes including murder, serious sexual assaults and embezzlement.

A 53-year-old man was sentenced to nine years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh for a series of sexual offences over a 15-year period. Bernard Callaghan, who was described as a ‘dangerous individual’ was found guilty of sexually assaulting and targeting three women across Fife, Edinburgh and East Lothian between 2007 and 2022.

A father and son who murdered and mutilated two men in an orgy of sadistic violence were jailed for life last month. Ian MacLeod, 66, and Dean McLeod, 42, were both ordered to serve at least 34 years in prison before they can seek to apply for parole after killing Derek Johnston and Desmond Rowlings.

And, a pensioner who spied on a woman while she used the toilet at an Edinburgh fast food restaurant was placed on the Sex Offenders Register. David Levenson, 71, peered over a cubicle partition at the horrified victim as she used the facilities at the McDonald’s takeaway in the capital’s city centre last year.

A father and son who murdered and mutilated two men in an orgy of sadistic violence were jailed for life last month. Ian MacLeod, 66, and Dean McLeod, 42, were both ordered to serve at least 34 years in prison before they can seek to apply for parole after killing Derek Johnston and Desmond Rowlings.

Duncan Brown, 37, was jailed for six years for serious sexual offences including sexual abuse and rape, on April 17 at the High Court in Edinburgh, for the crimes which took place in East Lothian between 2010 and 2020. Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Wood said: “The actions of Brown were disgraceful and he has now been made to face the consequences of his despicable actions. I hope today’s sentence provides his victims with some form of justice and allows the women to continue to move forward. Police Scotland thoroughly investigates all reports of sexual crimes and, with the support of our partners, will support those who come forward throughout the process. I’d encourage anyone who has been the victim of domestic abuse and or a sexual crime, regardless of when it happened, to report it to us in the confidence we will do all we can to bring the person responsible to justice.”

5. Serious sexual offences over 10-year period

Duncan Brown, 37, was jailed for six years for serious sexual offences including sexual abuse and rape, on April 17 at the High Court in Edinburgh, for the crimes which took place in East Lothian between 2010 and 2020. Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Wood said: “The actions of Brown were disgraceful and he has now been made to face the consequences of his despicable actions. I hope today’s sentence provides his victims with some form of justice and allows the women to continue to move forward. Police Scotland thoroughly investigates all reports of sexual crimes and, with the support of our partners, will support those who come forward throughout the process. I’d encourage anyone who has been the victim of domestic abuse and or a sexual crime, regardless of when it happened, to report it to us in the confidence we will do all we can to bring the person responsible to justice.” Photo: Police Scotland

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David Levenson, 71, peered over a cubicle partition at a horrified victim as she used the facilities at the McDonald’s takeaway in the capital’s city centre last year. The woman shouted at the OAP and challenged him before he made his way out of the toilet and fled the scene. Levenson, from Canonmills, Edinburgh, pleaded guilty to a charge of observing the woman while she was in a state of undress at the takeaway toilet when he appeared at the capital’s sheriff court. He returned to the dock for sentencing on Tuesday, April 16 where Sheriff Gillian Sharp placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for 12 months and ordered him to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work in the community.

6. Pensioner spied on a woman in a McDonald’s toilet

David Levenson, 71, peered over a cubicle partition at a horrified victim as she used the facilities at the McDonald’s takeaway in the capital’s city centre last year. The woman shouted at the OAP and challenged him before he made his way out of the toilet and fled the scene. Levenson, from Canonmills, Edinburgh, pleaded guilty to a charge of observing the woman while she was in a state of undress at the takeaway toilet when he appeared at the capital’s sheriff court. He returned to the dock for sentencing on Tuesday, April 16 where Sheriff Gillian Sharp placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for 12 months and ordered him to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work in the community. Photo: Alexander Lawrie

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Tessa Hamilton, 35, stole child care payments made by parents while working as the manager of the Strawberry Hill Nursery in Edinburgh over an 18 month period. Hamilton discovered a loophole in the school’s payment system and began siphoning off payments and transferring the cash into her own bank account. The manager, from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, was eventually caught out after leaving her position and financial “irregularities” were uncovered by the nursery’s management. Hamilton appeared in the dock at Edinburgh Sheriff Court for sentencing on Tuesday, April 16 after previously admitting to embezzling £8062 between January 1, 2016 and August 16, 2017. Hamilton was placed on a community payback order where she will have to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work in the community to be completed over the next 18 months.

7. Former nursery manager avoids jail after embezzling over £8000 from her employers

Tessa Hamilton, 35, stole child care payments made by parents while working as the manager of the Strawberry Hill Nursery in Edinburgh over an 18 month period. Hamilton discovered a loophole in the school’s payment system and began siphoning off payments and transferring the cash into her own bank account. The manager, from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, was eventually caught out after leaving her position and financial “irregularities” were uncovered by the nursery’s management. Hamilton appeared in the dock at Edinburgh Sheriff Court for sentencing on Tuesday, April 16 after previously admitting to embezzling £8062 between January 1, 2016 and August 16, 2017. Hamilton was placed on a community payback order where she will have to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work in the community to be completed over the next 18 months. Photo: Alexander Lawrie

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A 53-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh for a series of sexual offences over a 15-year period. Bernard Callaghan, who was described as a ‘dangerous individual’ was found guilty of sexually assaulting and targeting three women across Fife, Edinburgh and East Lothian between 2007 and 2022. Detective Sergeant Craig Donnelly from Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit said: “Bernard Callaghan is a very dangerous individual who is now being held accountable for his despicable behaviour towards the three victims. Their experiences will undoubtedly have left a lasting impact however I hope that today’s outcome provides them with some degree of closure and helps them to move on with their lives. Police Scotland takes all reports of sexual abuse extremely seriously and we will work with victims to thoroughly investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.”

8. Dangerous individual’ jailed for series of sexual assaults over a 15-year period

A 53-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh for a series of sexual offences over a 15-year period. Bernard Callaghan, who was described as a ‘dangerous individual’ was found guilty of sexually assaulting and targeting three women across Fife, Edinburgh and East Lothian between 2007 and 2022. Detective Sergeant Craig Donnelly from Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit said: “Bernard Callaghan is a very dangerous individual who is now being held accountable for his despicable behaviour towards the three victims. Their experiences will undoubtedly have left a lasting impact however I hope that today’s outcome provides them with some degree of closure and helps them to move on with their lives. Police Scotland takes all reports of sexual abuse extremely seriously and we will work with victims to thoroughly investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.” Photo: National World

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