ANDREW FRASER FROM ANNAN SENTENCED FOR DECADES OF CHILD ABUSE IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

In August 2017, a disturbing case of prolonged child abuse came to light involving Andrew Fraser, a man aged 64, who was formerly residing in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway. Fraser was found guilty of a series of heinous crimes that spanned over two decades, during which he exploited the trust of families and systematically preyed on young girls in his community.

Fraser’s criminal activities included the recording and photographing of his abuse, with police uncovering a vast collection of indecent images of children on his electronic devices. The investigation revealed that he had committed acts of sexual assault and indecency against 12 girls between the years 1991 and 2015. The youngest victim was only six years old at the time of her abuse. Some of the children were coerced into posing for him, while others were assaulted while they were sleeping, highlighting the calculated and predatory nature of his crimes.

The court heard that Fraser had manipulated his position within the community, which allowed him to gain access to children with relative ease. He was considered a trusted figure by many parents, which facilitated his grooming process. Fraser’s actions included forcing a girl under ten to use a sex toy and assaulting another girl while she was asleep, acts that underscore the severity and depravity of his offenses.

In June of the previous year, police received credible information indicating Fraser was in possession of indecent images of children. A search warrant was executed at his home, leading to the seizure of multiple electronic devices, including computers, hard drives, CDs, and discs. Forensic analysis uncovered more than 110,000 indecent still images and over 1,000 video clips depicting children in sexual acts. Among these images was a photograph of one victim, estimated to be around 13 years old at the time, being abused.

During the court proceedings, advocate depute Stephen McCloy emphasized Fraser’s notoriety within his community and his ability to access children through trusted relationships. The police identified Fraser through distinctive tattoos, which appeared in the images and videos recovered from his devices. The evidence presented showed that Fraser had engineered opportunities to commit his crimes, planning how to initiate abuse and conceal his activities.

Lord Beckett, presiding over the case at the High Court in Edinburgh, sentenced Fraser to a total of 10 years and two months in prison. Additionally, Fraser was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and ordered to remain under supervision for a further four years to protect the public. The judge also warned Fraser that failure to comply with license conditions could result in his return to prison. The court acknowledged that Fraser’s guilty pleas had spared his victims from the ordeal of giving evidence in court, a factor that was taken into account during sentencing.

Detective Robin Ferguson of the public protection unit described the investigation as possibly the largest of its kind involving a single perpetrator in Dumfries and Galloway, and perhaps all of Scotland. He highlighted the extensive nature of Fraser’s abuse, which went unnoticed for many years due to his grooming tactics and the trust he cultivated within the community. Ferguson emphasized the devastating impact of Fraser’s crimes, calling him a dangerous sexual predator whose actions have caused incalculable harm.

Fraser’s criminal record also includes previous convictions for theft and a racially aggravated breach of the peace. He is currently unemployed and on benefits. His case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and community awareness in preventing such predatory behavior. The sentencing at Edinburgh’s High Court marked a significant step in delivering justice for the victims and addressing the widespread nature of his abuse.