Jail for ex-RAF man from Earby who ‘groomed’ teen girls for sex

Alistaire Chappell sent text messages to the teenagers to arrange to meet them separately and take them to secluded spots at Roseisle and Findhorn.

Chappell (34), formerly of Charles Street, Nelson, but more recently living in Earby, and who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, had previously admitted several sexual offences against the youngsters, who were both aged under 16.

At Elgin Sheriff Court, Sheriff Susan Raeburn told Chappel he had “subtly but persistently” groomed the two girls “for motives of sexual gratification”.

Chappell previously admitted sexual activity in his car with a girl aged between 13 and 15 at the picnic area at Roseisle Woods between December 1st, 2010, and February 6th, 2011.

Chappell - an RAF military policeman for nine years - also admitted taking the same girl to waste ground at Findhorn beach in his car and engaging in sexual activity.

He also admitted engaging in sexual activity with another teenage girl aged under 16 at Findhorn waste ground between December 24th, 2010, and February 6th, 2011.

It is understood he left the RAF shortly before he committed the offences.

Elgin Sheriff Court previously heard the first teenager had met Chappell at Elgin last summer, when she was with her boyfriend.

Chappell - who had also served at RAF Leuchars - started to send texts to the girl shortly after they met, and their relationship became more physical when she split up from her boyfriend.

Chappell would pick the teenager up at the end of her road and she told her parents she was meeting someone called Daniel, refusing to reveal his age.

He then started meeting the other girl in late December.

His offences came to light when the second girl told a relative she had been meeting him, that they had kissed and he had “tried to go further”.

His defence agent, Mr David Adams, said that sex with the first girl was consensual.

He added: “The contact with the second victim is perhaps less serious but in a way less explicable, given the background.

“It was the second victim that made the report.”

Sheriff Susan Raeburn said: “These are serious and disturbing offences. You subtly but persistently groomed two young and impressionable girls for motives of sexual gratification.

“I consider you exerted deliberate emotional control over the victims.”

Sheriff Raeburn said Chappell’s behaviour was “damaging” and “abusive” to the girls, at an age “when adult life should be something that holds promise”.

She added: “Your second victim queried your motives and effectively put a stop to your quest.

“Each of your victims is to be commended for bringing you into the dock.”

Sheriff Raeburn jailed Chappell for two years and four months. She also placed him on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.