A Fife councillor has been found guilty of sexual offences against a teenage girl over a seven-month period in 2023.
David Graham, who was suspended from the Labour party two years ago, was convicted on Wednesday following a trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.
According to the indictment the offences involved sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15.
The offences took place between February 11 and August 21 2023, and were committed at a variety of locations in the Fife and Edinburgh areas.
The 43-year-old was found guilty by a majority of one charge under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.
He is due to be be sentenced on August 19.
Commenting after Grahamâs conviction, Fife Council leader David Ross said the revelations at the trial had been âtruly shockingâ.
The Labour councillor went on: âThis is appalling behaviour by anyone, let alone an elected councillor â and the sentence will reflect the seriousness of this case. Our sympathies go out to the young person involved.
âIt is impossible to express how badly David Graham has let down his colleagues and the people he was elected to represent.â
A Labour Party spokesperson said: âThe party is taking immediate action to exclude David Graham from membership of the Labour Party following his conviction.â
Police Scotland Detective Inspector Graham Watson said: âGraham is a manipulative individual who groomed and sexually abused his teenage victim.
âHe was well-known and in a position of power when the offending took place.
âI would like to thank the female for her assistance in bringing him to justice.
âWe remain committed to investigating all reports of sexual crime and would encourage anyone affected to report it.
âEvery report is taken seriously and will be fully investigated, no matter how much time has passed, with support from our specially trained officers and partner agencies.â
