Councillor jailed for sex crimes against teenage girl

A councillor has been jailed for the grooming and sexual abuse of a schoolgirl.

David Graham, who was suspended from the Labour Party after being charged, targeted the child over a six-month period in 2023.

A police investigation was launched after a member of the public became concerned about his behaviour towards the girl, aged between 13 and 15.

The Fife councillor, 43, was found guilty of crimes against the vulnerable girl following a trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in July.

He has now been sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment and his name has been added to the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Graham, from Methilhill, sat as an independent member of the local authority after being suspended by Labour. He will now be disqualified from holding the public office and a by-election will take place.

Commenting on the sentencing, Helen Nisbet, the procurator fiscal for Tayside, Central and Fife, said: “David Graham saw an opportunity to systematically groom and sexually abuse a vulnerable young girl, who had the right to be safe in his company. 

“He cynically and deliberately took advantage of an unbalanced power dynamic to commit these offences over the course of several months.  

“Graham has now been held accountable following this prosecution, and I give thanks to the victim for giving evidence which helped secure this conviction. 

“I would urge anyone affected by similar offending to report it when you feel ready.” 

Graham was first elected to represent the Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss villages ward in 2012. At the time of being charged, he was a member of the NHS Fife board and covered health and social care for the council, as well as sitting on its environment and transport and Levenmouth area committees.

Police described Graham as a “manipulative individual” and David Ross, the Labour leader of Fife Council, said his conduct had been “appalling”.

Responding to the sentencing, Ross said: “This case has shocked us all and I am pleased that this means David Graham will now be disqualified from serving as a councillor on Fife Council.

“I want to pay tribute to the bravery of the young person involved in this case in coming forward and hope that today’s sentencing goes some way towards her healing process.

“David Graham should have resigned as a councillor as soon as he was convicted if not before, and his disqualification will be welcomed across the council.”

No date has yet been confirmed for the by-election, however the council has said this will be held “in the next few months”.