Man raped 11-year-old schoolgirl in car

A man has been found guilty of raping an 11-year-old schoolgirl who got into his car.
Ross MuirRoss Muir
Ross Muir

Ross Muir’s victim told a court that the sex attack had left her feeling sore and upset.

The girl, now aged 13, said she had left her home in Wester Hailes and saw a Vauxhall car with someone sitting in it.

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She told the High Court in Edinburgh that the man was “a grown up” who told her to get in the vehicle.

She entered the car and he drove off but returned to near her home before carrying out the sex assault.

Muir’s then-partner told the court that he told her contact had been made with the girl through a mobile phone app.

Muir, 36, of The Fairways, Monktonhall, Musselburgh, had denied raping the girl on October 10 or 11 but was found guilty of inducing her to enter the car and carrying out the sex attack on her.

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After the jury returned its verdict the judge, Lord Boyd of Duncansby, placed him on the sex offenders’ register.

The judge called for a background report on the first offender, who had been on bail, and remanded him in custody ahead of sentencing next month.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin MacLean of Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: “This was a harrowing incident for the young victim, the effects of which are likely to be borne by her for the rest of her life.

“I would like to commend her courage in coming forward and in giving evidence against Muir which has helped to secure this conviction.

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“This was a painstaking investigation which secured damning forensic evidence against Muir and highlights the dangers present with modern communications technology.

“Police Scotland is committed to tackling all instances of rape and sexual assault and continues to work with our partners, including at Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, to bring offenders to justice.”