Man charged after boy sexually assaulted on family camping trip in Loch Ness

A man has been charged after a boy was sexually assaulted during a family camping trip in the Highlands.

An investigation was launched after an eight-year-old boy was reportedly approached by a man and sexually assaulted while inside a tent at Loch Ness Bay Campsite in Drumnadrochit on July 31.

The boy was in Scotland on a family holiday, with his parents asleep in an adjacent tent.

In a press conference following the reported attack, police said the boy’s father overheard the incident and witnessed the suspect leaving the area.

Police Scotland said specialist officers were continuing to support the boy and his family.

The incident left locals in the quiet, rural area “shocked and devastated”.

Detectives launched a major manhunt, seizing 1,500 hours of CCTV and knocking on almost 100 doors in the villages on the western shore of Loch Ness.

Officers traced visitors were staying at the campsite at the time of the alleged attack.

More than four weeks later, police confirmed on Monday that a 44-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident. He was then charged in connection with the sexual assault.

The man is due to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

Detective superintendent Calum Smith said: “We would like to thank the local community for their support during our investigation, in particular local businesses and those who came forward with information.”

Enquiries are ongoing and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.