Scots 'murder' victim recently dodged jail for sex attack on girl, 13, filming TikTok

Cops have launched a probe after Martin Forgie's body was discovered at a flat in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, this week.

A suspected murder victim was a known sex offender who recently dodged a prison sentence after sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. Martin Forgie, 36, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and assault to injury in March but walked free when he was given a community payback order.

Police are now investigating after discovering Forgie’s body at a flat in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, on Wednesday. A man, 44, has been charged in relation to his death.

Forgie, who had been placed on the sex offenders list, caused outrage after sexually assaulting a young girl at a shopping centre. At Aberdeen Sheriff Court, he admitted sexually assaulting the girl, who was filming a TikTok video with her friend.

He also admitted being intoxicated in Aberdeen’s St Nicholas Centre in October last year when he touched the girl’s leg then made a move towards a more intimate area before touching her buttocks.

At his trial in March, Fiscal depute Andrew McMann told the court the girls had approached Forgie who was sitting with his eyes closed. Initially, he “appeared unconscious ” but the youngsters realised he was “intoxicated”.

They wanted to check if he was OK and started chatting with him. After the inappropriate touching, the girl “panicked” and fled with her friend before reporting it to the police.

A man, who hadn’t seen the sexual assault but was aware of Forgie’s “erratic behaviour”, then approached him in a bid to “deescalate the situation”. McMann told the court: “Without warning, the accused began kicking his head and body.”

Security staff intervened and detained Forgie until police arrived. Forgie, of Macduff, pled guilty to sexual assault and assault to injury.

The sheriff told Forgie the court would be “well within its rights” to impose a prison sentence but added it would not ultimately address Forgie’s main issue, his alcohol problem. “You must address your alcohol addiction,” she said.

As an alternative to a prison sentence, Sheriff Johnston made Forgie subject to a community payback order with supervision for three years and ordered him to take part in a domestic abuse programme. She also put him on the sex offenders register for three years.

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.