ABERDEEN MAN ALISTAIR MIDDLETON SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR ABUSING WIGAN GIRL AND FLEEING TO THAILAND

In a case that has shocked the communities of Aberdeen and Wigan, Alistair Middleton, a 54-year-old man from Loch Street, Aberdeen, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars for the horrific sexual abuse of a young girl from Wigan. The abuse spanned over two years, beginning when the girl was just 13 years old, and only came to light after years of silence and suffering.

The court heard that Middleton, who was an auxiliary nurse by profession, began his sinister manipulation in July 2000. He initially claimed to be offering comfort to the girl, who was experiencing bullying at school, but this seemingly innocent gesture quickly turned into a pattern of abuse. When she turned 14, Middleton’s actions escalated to regular rapes, causing profound trauma to the young victim.

The abuse abruptly ceased in June 2002, but the victim kept her suffering hidden until she confided in her boyfriend last year. It was only then that she revealed the full extent of her ordeal, prompting her to tell her mother in October. The revelation led to police investigations, which uncovered the disturbing details of Middleton’s crimes.

Authorities revealed that Middleton was arrested while attempting to flee the country. He was caught at Manchester Airport, where he was waiting to board a flight to Thailand. According to reports, Middleton’s plan was to end his life in Thailand, a decision that underscores the depth of his remorse or despair. His attempt to escape justice was thwarted when police detained him in breach of his bail conditions.

During the court proceedings, it was disclosed that Middleton, who has been married four times, broke down in tears at one point, begging for forgiveness from his victim and threatening to take his own life. Despite these emotional pleas, the court found that the abuse had continued unabated, and justice was served.

Judge Graham Morrow, QC, presiding over the case, sentenced Middleton to ten years in prison. Additionally, he ordered Middleton to register as a sex offender for life, prohibiting him from being alone with children under 16 and from using any aliases. The judge condemned Middleton’s manipulative tactics, stating, “You manipulated situations so you could abuse and rape her,” emphasizing the severity of his crimes and the betrayal of trust involved.