EDINBURGH SEX OFFENDER ALEXANDER BLACKWOOD SENTENCED FOR YEARS OF ABUSE IN FALKIRK
In a case that has shocked the local community, Alexander Blackwood, a man from Edinburgh, has been sentenced to prison for a prolonged period of sexual abuse inflicted upon a young girl.The disturbing series of events took place over a span of two and a half years, from April 2014 to December 2016, during which Blackwood committed numerous heinous acts at various locations, including an address in the Falkirk area.
Blackwood, aged 51 and residing on Ferniehill Terrace, Gilmerton, Edinburgh, faced serious charges related to his conduct.
Despite denying the allegations, he was found guilty after a jury trial.
The court proceedings culminated in a sentencing hearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, where Sheriff Craig Caldwell handed down a sentence of four years and six months in prison.
In addition to his custodial sentence, Blackwood will be placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period following his release, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.
The charges against him included a series of disturbing acts, such as repeatedly removing and moving the young girl’s clothing, touching her inappropriately, sleeping in her bed, and making sexual comments towards her.
The court also heard that Blackwood showed her videos of a sexual nature and entered her bedroom when she was changing or in a state of undress, actions that compounded the severity of his misconduct.
Sheriff Caldwell emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “The fact is a jury found you guilty of a charge on indictment that set out a course of conduct carried out over a period of two and a half years which involved consistent sexual abuse against a girl.” He further pointed out that Blackwood was in a “position of trust,” which he failed to uphold, thereby aggravating his culpability.
The court was informed that the victim continues to suffer from significant emotional trauma and mental health issues as a result of Blackwood’s actions.
The long-term psychological impact of his conduct is expected to affect her for the rest of her life.
Sheriff Caldwell made it clear that the nature of the abuse was long-term and that incarceration was the only appropriate response, stating, “This was long-term abuse.
There is no alternative to a custodial sentence.” Blackwood’s legal representative acknowledged that her client now accepts that serving time in custody is inevitable.
The sheriff ordered the sentence to be backdated to March 15, the day Blackwood was convicted, and he was remanded in custody to allow for the preparation of background reports that will inform further proceedings.
