A jailed rapist complained to the press watchdog in a dispute with a regional daily about how it referred to an alleged victim.

Morgan Prior complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation after the Dundee Courier reported he had been found not guilty of the “alleged indecent assault of a child”, when the complainant in that instance was 16 years old.

Prior, who was jailed for 40 months after being convicted of indecently assaulting one woman and of raping another, took issue with the coverage on the grounds that the legislation for “sexual activity with a child” stated that an offence occurred when the victim was under 16.

Complaining under Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Editors’ Code of Practice, the rapist said none of the charges related to children, but that one charge had pertained to when the alleged victim was 16 and he was 18 and the charge, therefore, was indecent assault.

Prior provided a copy of the indictment and said it made no reference to a child.

Denying any breach of Code, the Courier said it had clarified with the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service, which provided a copy of the aggravating circumstances shared to the jury ahead of its deliberation.

It said when the aggravations were read alongside the indictment, it became clear that one of the charges related to a child.  It read: indecent assault (child, sexual aggravation).

As such, the Courier said it was not inaccurate or misleading to say the charge was indecent or sexual assault against a child and added that the coverage had made clear this was an allegation in relation to which Prior had been found not guilty.

During IPSO’s investigation, the newspaper offered to amend its online story so that it said “16-year-old” rather than “child” and also offered to print a footnote correction along with a clarification in print.

This resolved the matter to Prior’s satisfaction, and the full resolution statement can be read here.