Cavan Boothby jailed for two years after raping girl when a schoolboy in Helensburgh

A man who raped a girl when he was a schoolboy has been jailed for two years.

Cavan Boothby pounced on the victim at addresses in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute.

The pair were both aged around 12 and 13 when Boothby first struck in 2008 and had been in a relationship.

A judge heard how Boothby – now 25 – said watching porn online had affected how he behaved at that time.

On Monday, Boothby was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

He had pled guilty to two rape charges having initially gone on trial.

Judge Andrew Cubie locked him up, having reduced the sentence from 32 months.

Ewan Roy, defending, earlier said there had been “no evidence of force or coercion” between Boothby and the girl as well as there appearing to be a “proper lack of sex education”.

The solicitor advocate added: “He is a first offender and has been assessed as low risk of reoffending.”

Mr Roy added there were a number of “positive factors” since the crimes including Boothby now being married and having recently secured a head chef post at a country house hotel.

Sentencing, Judge Cubie said Boothby had spoke of being “heavily influenced” by “internet porn” when he was younger.

The judge accepted the “culpability” of a young person is lower than someone older, but concluded a jail-term must be imposed.

He went on: “The [sentence] takes into account your age and maturity at the time as well as the positive aspects mentioned.”

Boothby was also put on the sex offenders’ list for ten years.