A FORMER Royal Navy employee has been jailed after admitting engaging in sexual activity with a teenage girl in Helensburgh.

Peter MacGregor carried out the abuse over a nine-month period while in a position of trust over his victim.

The girl was aged between 16 and 17 when the incidents took place at a house in the town.

MacGregor was sentenced at a hearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday – when a sheriff said the 44-year-old had “extensively and disgracefully” abused the relationship of trust between him and his victim.

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MacGregor had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to a single charge of engaging in sexual activity towards his victim “on various occasions between December 20, 2012 and September 8, 2013”.

The details of the charge are too graphic to publish here.

MacGregor, who now lives in Dunfermline, appeared on Friday after social workers were asked to prepare a background report on his circumstances.

Solicitor advocate Gordon Martin, defending, told Sheriff William Gallacher: “He was left in no doubt by me, and when the case last called, of the likely disposal in relation to this matter.

“The criminal justice social work report does indicate that he would be suitable for a variety of non-custodial disposals, but he accepts, and I accept on his behalf, the gravity of this offence.

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“I invite your Lordship to take into account his previous good conduct, the fact that his record includes only one previous offence, for speeding, and the fact he has a substantially good work record.

“He was in employment with the Royal Navy for a substantial period. During his employment in the period libelled, he was under certain stresses and strains, and his consumption of alcohol may have had some effect in disinhibiting his behaviour.

“He was drinking more at the time of the offending behaviour. He is in a new relationship, in which he drinks very, very occasionally.

“The fact he is in a relationship, with a supportive family, and is in employment would all, to some extent, be protective factors.”

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Sentencing MacGregor to 21 months in prison, Sheriff Gallacher told him: “You are someone who was in a position of trust, and who abused that trust, extensively and disgracefully.

“I have taken into account your past criminal history, the terms of the charge to which you pleaded guilty, and the terms of the social work report.

“I have also taken into account the impact the offending had upon the victim, which was extensive and ongoing. It is difficult to imagine it will be anything other than life-long.

“This was a disgraceful offence involving an abuse of trust, and I cannot properly deal with it other than by the imposition of a significant custodial sentence.”

In addition, Sheriff Gallacher also granted an indefinite non-harassment order barring MacGregor from having any form of contact with the victim of his crime.

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