Police Scotland have arrested a 44-year-old man following the alleged sexual assault of an eight-year-old boy at Loch Ness. The child was attacked while sleeping in his tent during a family camping trip to the Highlands.
The assault occurred at Loch Ness Bay Campsite in Drumnadrochit on July 31 between 12:20am and 1am, according to Metro. The boy was sleeping in his own tent while his parents were in a separate adjacent tent nearby.
Parents witnessed the suspect leaving the area and provided a description to police, Metro reports. The family had been visiting the iconic Scottish tourist location when the attack took place.
Month-long investigation
The arrest followed a month-long manhunt across the Highland region, Glasgow Live reports. Police seized thousands of hours of CCTV footage during their extensive investigation, according to Metro.
Detective Superintendent Calum Smith described the assault as "hugely traumatising" and "very unusual for the Highlands". The senior officer emphasised the serious nature of the crime against the young victim.
Community shock
Local councillor David Fraser called the attack "totally shocking" and said it had affected "the whole community". The incident has particularly unsettled residents of the small Highland community of Drumnadrochit.
The arrest brings resolution to a case that has gripped the Loch Ness area, a major destination for tourists visiting Scotland. The campsite where the attack occurred is popular with families exploring the Highlands.
Sources used: "Mirror", "Metro", "Herald Scotland", "Daily Record", "Glasgow Live"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
