ANDREW BRANNAN SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN BUCKHAVEN AND METHIL
| Red Rose Database
Buckhaven Rapist
In December 2021, a man named Andrew Brannan was sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of two serious sexual offenses committed in Fife. The first assault involved a vulnerable 16-year-old girl in Buckhaven, where Brannan raped her after she had been drinking. The incident occurred in 2003, and during the court proceedings, it was revealed that Brannan had approached the girl’s mother under the pretense of helping her sober up, only to commit the assault later that night at a house in Buckhaven.
Four years later, Brannan committed a second heinous act when he attacked a 21-year-old woman in Methil, also in Fife. The victim was asleep at her residence when Brannan entered and assaulted her. The court heard that Brannan acknowledged his wrongdoing the morning after the attack, admitting to the victim that he had done wrong. Despite this, he attempted to dismiss the severity of his actions by telling the victim that there was no point in reporting the incident to the police because she would not be believed.
Throughout the trial, Brannan denied both charges—initially denying raping the teenager between May and July 2003, and also denying the assault and rape of the second woman between April 23 and May 31, 2007. However, the jury found him guilty of both offenses after considering the evidence presented. Brannan, who had been remanded in custody prior to sentencing, had no previous criminal record and had not served time in prison before.
The judge, Lord Braid, emphasized the seriousness of the crimes and highlighted the aggravating factors, including Brannan’s dismissive attitude towards the victims and his attempt to dissuade the second victim from reporting the assault. Following the sentencing, Lord Braid ordered that Brannan be placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, reflecting the ongoing risk he poses to the community. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of these offenses and the justice served for the victims in Buckhaven and Methil.
Four years later, Brannan committed a second heinous act when he attacked a 21-year-old woman in Methil, also in Fife. The victim was asleep at her residence when Brannan entered and assaulted her. The court heard that Brannan acknowledged his wrongdoing the morning after the attack, admitting to the victim that he had done wrong. Despite this, he attempted to dismiss the severity of his actions by telling the victim that there was no point in reporting the incident to the police because she would not be believed.
Throughout the trial, Brannan denied both charges—initially denying raping the teenager between May and July 2003, and also denying the assault and rape of the second woman between April 23 and May 31, 2007. However, the jury found him guilty of both offenses after considering the evidence presented. Brannan, who had been remanded in custody prior to sentencing, had no previous criminal record and had not served time in prison before.
The judge, Lord Braid, emphasized the seriousness of the crimes and highlighted the aggravating factors, including Brannan’s dismissive attitude towards the victims and his attempt to dissuade the second victim from reporting the assault. Following the sentencing, Lord Braid ordered that Brannan be placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, reflecting the ongoing risk he poses to the community. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of these offenses and the justice served for the victims in Buckhaven and Methil.