Sex Predator Jailed for 11 Years After Evading Justice

Colin Ritchie, 56, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for a campaign of sexual abuse against four children spanning 18 years.

The crimes primarily occurred in Elgin and Fochabers, both in Moray, between 1988 and 2006. Ritchie targeted two boys and two girls, with one victim being as young as seven when the abuse began.

Ritchie was due to face the allegations at a high court hearing in March 2020, but he failed to appear. He was eventually apprehended and brought to court, where he was found guilty after a trial in Aberdeen of 11 charges including lewd and libidinous behaviour, indecent assault, breaching bail, and failing to appear for the earlier court hearing.

Sentencing Ritchie at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, Judge Graham Buchanan stated, "You were convicted of serious sexual offenses against children. In the course of the crimes against one boy, it is apparent that you groomed and corrupted him over a substantial period. This was to the point that he believed the depraved conduct was perfectly normal. It is inevitable that what you did to him and the other victims resulted in long-lasting consequences and psychological damage for them."

Ritchie, who appeared via video link from prison, repeatedly shook his head as he was sentenced. His defense attorney, Bill Adam, maintained that Ritchie continues to deny the charges.

Judge Buchanan also ordered Ritchie to be placed on the sex offenders list indefinitely.